"Good morning, Lady
"I'm perfectly fine."
I'd taken my terrible-tasting medicine properly and, to Liebhilda's surprise, had been lying obediently in bed, so my fever had come down completely. For the Book Lover's Tea Party to be a success, my condition was of utmost importance.
…Today, I'm in peak condition! Hehehe.
I climbed out of bed and let
"For the hair ornament, I'd like to add another one to match. I want to put in the flower decorations used for
While Brunhilde tidied my hair, Lieselota prepared today's outfit, smiling quietly. What Lieselota held was an outfit that appeared to match Schwartz and Weiss's. As for what exactly matched, Lieselota had embroidered the same design along the hem of the skirt. It wasn't the magic circle embroidery on the vest and apron, but rather the flower and leaf embroidery along the hem of the pants or skirt that was the matching element—Lieselota's dedication was evident at a glance.
…the matching accessory I absolutely will not compromise on is the Librarian armband, though.
Today, the armband was also on point. I'd give one to
"Lady Rozemyne, I'll be putting on your scarf, so please raise your chin slightly. I'll tie it with a bow."
From a distance, her smile looked like her usual serene expression, but up close, it was clear that Lieselota was bubbling with excitement, judging by her rose-colored cheeks and slightly quicker speech.
"Lieselota, you embroidered not only Schwartz and Weiss's outfits, but mine as well. That must have been a lot of work, wasn't it?"
"Whether Lady Rozemyne would grant permission was the greatest hurdle for me, so the embroidery itself wasn't that much."
She claimed the embroidery was no great effort, but it clearly wasn't something that could be finished easily. It was work I absolutely would never want to do.
…Lieselota's Schumil love has gone into overdrive.
While I was thinking this as I gazed at the embroidered hem of my skirt, Brunhilde began the final confirmations for today's tea party beside me.
"The sweets to bring to today's tea party will be two varieties of quatre-quarts—Ferijine and honey—along with two varieties of cookies: walnut and tea leaf."
She'd apparently already placed an order with the kitchen for jams, cream, Rumtopf, and other accompaniments.
"As promised to Lady Hannelore, we'll have
"Did you request that Lady Hannelore bring musicians along?"
"Of course."
Apparently, various last-minute requests had been made to Hannelore—
"Liebhilda, are the books to return to Dunkelfelger and the ones to lend next time ready as well? I'll be lending them the romance novels from the Noble Academy."
"They're ready, my lady."
"And don't forget the manuscript of the Dunkelfelger book that I translated into modern language. I'll need to ask Lady Hannelore whether it should be presented as a book or not. Oh, and the Librarian armbands too…"
"They're packed. I'll be lending Prince Hildebrand a knight story—is that correct?"
Liebhilda giggled. After sending a query about whether it was acceptable to lend Ehrenfest books to Hildebrand, the response had come back that anything besides Holy Book picture books related to lectures would be fine. Rather, she'd been strictly warned to "absolutely not neglect the prince at the tea party by getting so excited about discussing books with a fellow book lover." So it would be fine to recommend a knight story, and she absolutely had to steer the conversation toward Hildebrand.
…Just as the Chief Priest said, I'll do my best to spread the joy of reading to make the prince a book lover!
And so, laden with various bundles, my attendants and I headed for the library. We planned to start the tea party at the third bell, so we'd depart after the second-and-a-half bell rang and lectures began.
"My lady, you came."
"Today is the tea party."
"Please use the office. My Attendants have already begun preparations."
Greeted by Schwartz and Weiss, and guided to the office by
"Let's prepare quickly. There isn't much time before the third bell rings."
At Liebhilda's words, the Attendants immediately began setting up for the tea party. Since royalty would be coming, the preparations needed to be even more meticulous than last year. The apprentice civil officials began securing spaces to take notes, and Rosina began her final practice on her instrument before the guests arrived at the third bell.
Leaving the tea party preparations to the Attendants, Solange threw wide the door leading to the reading room. Just like last year, this allowed observation of both the reading room and the office at the same time. However, today there were no students in the reading room.
"It's quite rare for there to be absolutely no students in the library."
"There was a report the other day that a Tarnisbefallen had appeared, so many dormitories have set up lookouts to check for abnormalities at their own gathering sites."
Since a Tarnisbefallen required the Knight's Order to deal with it, early detection was essential. In order to protect their gathering areas, rotating lookouts were necessary, which meant fewer students were coming to the library.
"Has Ehrenfest not established countermeasures against the Tarnisbefallen?"
"We've received a report that it was already defeated by the Knight's Order, and no traces of other Tarnisbefallen were found. Students attending lectures need to come and go from the gathering sites, so if other Tarnisbefallen existed, they would likely be discovered during those visits. No special lookouts have been posted."
Since apprentice knights from Ehrenfest had defeated it, other territories would compete to prove they wouldn't lose, so externally it was reported that the central Knight's Order had taken it down. Since we had no intention of teaching the spell to obtain the black weapons, fewer problems that way.
"Well, whenever a monster that can't be found around the Noble Academy shows up, everyone gets reports saying it's all clear and the apprentice knights get all fired up, but Ehrenfest seems remarkably calm about it."
Solange was chuckling softly, apparently not having heard, but I had. I'd heard the voice of
…I haven't been running wild that much recently!
Before I could turn around in irritation, Solange murmured, "I'm relieved that Prince Hildebrand has become an ally." When I looked up at Solange, I could see an expression of care in her blue eyes.
"Lady Rozemyne carrying the Magic Power supply burden alone must have been considerable, and Lady Hannelore is a lord candidate from Dunkelfelger, isn't she? Knowing about last year's dispute, I was secretly worried that even if Lady Hannelore herself had no objections, Ehrenfest might end up at a disadvantage once again."
It seemed she'd been concerned not about Hannelore personally, but about what would happen when the great territory of Dunkelfelger made unreasonable demands and no one could stop them. This year, with Hildebrand as an ally, the weight had been lifted from Solange's shoulders.
"Through Prince Hildebrand, if the central nobility learns of the library's current situation, they might assign upper nobility from the central territories to serve as Librarians."
She knew every territory was short-staffed, but Solange murmured that with a connection to royalty, they might prioritize assigning people. Indeed, managing the library as a single middle-ranking noble like Solange was clearly quite the ordeal.
"If there's anything I can do, I'll help. I am a Librarian, after all."
When I lightly tapped my armband and said this, Solange smiled happily, saying, "You're already helping plenty." I wanted to do more Librarian-like things, but apparently just providing Magic Power to Schwartz and the others was enough.
As I continued chatting with Solange like this, Liebhilda and the others finished their preparations, and the third bell rang. Rosina finished her practice on the fehpspiel, and a quiet stillness returned.
Shortly after, Hannelore arrived with her entourage. Slightly surprised at the immediate arrival after the bell, I went to greet Hannelore.
"Welcome, Lady Hannelore."
"Thank you so much for inviting me, Lady Rozemyne, Lady Solange. I've been looking forward to today's tea party ever so much."
After exchanging greetings, Hannelore smiled warmly.
"Lady Rozemyne, I know you've been busy with your sudden return, so I'm truly grateful that you went to the trouble of keeping your promise to me."
"Prince Hildebrand suddenly ended up attending as well—you must have been quite surprised, Lady Hannelore?"
I remembered the shock I'd felt when I saw
"I was indeed surprised, but it's not as though one can refuse an offer from royalty. It's no fault of yours, Lady Rozemyne. It was simply… unfortunate timing."
…She's so kind, even though I called royalty without consulting her.
As I was being healed by Hannelore's gentle smile, she directed the musicians she'd brought to sit near Rosina, and upon seeing
…She may look unhurried, but Lady Hannelore really is the princess of a great territory.
Admiring the poise befitting a great territory, I noticed that Hannelore's gaze occasionally drifted through the wide-open door toward Schwartz and Weiss in the reading room. Waiting until she'd finished issuing instructions, I called out to her.
"Lady Hannelore, shall we go ahead and register you as a collaborator as a Librarian? That way, you'll be able to touch Schwartz and the others."
"…Please do."
Hannelore's cheeks flushed, embarrassed at being caught staring intently at Schwartz and Weiss, and she nodded softly.
"Schwartz, Weiss. Come here, please. I'm registering my friend as a collaborator."
"My lady's friend."
"Registering."
When I called toward the reading room, Schwartz and Weiss came over, shaking their heads slightly side to side. Their eyes lit up at the sight of Hannelore, and she smiled, saying, "You're wearing outfits that match Lady Rozemyne's." I told her about Lieselota's embroidery efforts while registering Hannelore as a collaborator.
"Lady Hannelore, please wear this Librarian armband and touch the magic stone here."
When Brunhilde handed the armband to Hannelore's Attendant, the Attendant fastened it to Hannelore's sleeve. Perfect. A perfectly assembled Librarian.
"Now Lady Hannelore matches too."
When I lightly tapped my own armband, Schwartz imitated me and tapped his own.
"Hannelore, matching."
"My! …How adorable."
Hannelore covered her mouth with her hand and laughed with delight. The surrounding Attendants also watched Schwartz with fond smiles.
Now able to touch Schwartz and Weiss, Hannelore timidly reached out. Gently stroking near their foreheads, she narrowed her eyes with pleasure and fell into a blissful expression.
"I, too, am a Librarian. I look forward to working with you from now on, Schwartz, Weiss."
"Nice to meet you, Hannelore."
The sight of Hannelore, surrounded by Schwartz and Weiss and beaming with an ever-deeper smile, looked like a gathering of many large Schumils and was truly a heartwarming sight.
…Ah, I'm so glad I invited Lady Hannelore to be a Librarian.
"Lady Rozemyne, what is it that a Librarian does? I've only heard about providing Magic Power to Schwartz and the others."
"Providing Magic Power to Schwartz and the others is the most important duty. After you've finished your lectures, Lady Hannelore, you're welcome to visit the library occasionally while I'm away and pet Schwartz and Weiss."
"So petting Schwartz and the others is my job?"
Hannelore's eyes widened as she looked between me and Solange. Solange nodded with a smile.
"Schwartz and the others require light and dark affinities for the Magic Power that keeps them moving. I can't do it alone, so having the collaborators pet Schwartz and the others and provide them with Magic Power is the greatest help. When their master, Lady Rozemyne, is absent, having someone visit the library would make Schwartz and Weiss happy too, so please do come."
"Understood."
As Hannelore smiled happily and nodded, Hildebrand arrived. His Attendant handed the sweets he'd brought as gifts to Brunhilde, who was nearest the door. Hildebrand walked briskly toward where we were, gathered near the door to the reading room, admiring Schwartz and the others.
"I've been looking forward to today greatly. Thank you for the invitation."
Hildebrand recited the greeting he'd just been taught with perfect clarity. His gaze settled on my outfit. After comparing Schwartz and the others with me several times, he broke into a wide grin.
"Today's outfit matches Schwartz and Weiss, Rozemyne."
"My Attendant embroidered it to match. Isn't it lovely?"
Pinching my skirt slightly to show the embroidery, Hildebrand's face lit up with delight.
"Yes, it's very cute. …Oh? Hannelore is wearing the same armband."
"Yes. It's a Librarian armband."
After glancing at Hannelore's arm as he said this, Hildebrand looked down at his own arm with a forlorn expression. Seeing his dejected face, the words "If you'd like, I can give you the one I'm using" nearly escaped my lips, but I swallowed them back down. Giving royalty something I'd already used without even being asked would be terribly rude. At least it would need to be new.
"If it wouldn't be rude to present a matching armband, I could have one made for Prince Hildebrand when we return this time. How would that be?"
"Would that be acceptable?"
"Yes. I can't very well give you something I've used myself. …Would presenting a new armband not be considered rude?"
I remembered Brunhilde telling me to have things arranged through Attendants rather than deciding on my own, and I looked toward Hildebrand's Attendant. Noticing my gaze, Hildebrand turned to his Attendant and stared up at him with expectant eyes.
"…If Prince Hildebrand wishes it."
"I wish it."
"Then I'll have one prepared. My personal tailor is quite skilled. I believe it will be ready by the time you return to the Noble Academy. Now, shall we begin the tea party?"
I guided everyone to their seats and looked toward Rosina, who gave a light nod and began playing the fehpspiel. I could see the Dunkelfelger musicians watching Rosina's hands intently, listening with serious focus.
While the Attendants poured tea, I explained the sweets and, as a taste-tester, took a bite of each.
"Today I've prepared sweets that are popular in Ehrenfest. These are called quatre-quarts—they come in Ferijine and honey varieties. Please add jam or cream to your liking. These are cookies—there are walnut and tea leaf varieties."
Since Hildebrand was a child who had just completed his
Liebhilda carefully plated the Ferijine quatre-quarts with cream on my dish so Hildebrand's Attendant could observe. Watching the three of them, Hildebrand's Attendant emulated their example, plating a honey quatre-quarts with jam just as Hildebrand desired.
After confirming that everyone had drunk tea and eaten sweets, I could finally get to the main topic. The main topic was, of course, the Librarian activities.
"This year, with Prince Hildebrand and Lady Hannelore helping as Librarians, I'll feel at ease even while I'm away."
"It's not just that we have matching armbands—is Prince Hildebrand also a Librarian? …Are we actually allowed to participate in activities?"
Hannelore opened her red eyes in surprise. It seemed she'd thought the Librarian armband was merely something to give to a child who wanted one. She apparently hadn't known he was already registered as a Librarian. She looked worried about whether Hildebrand, who had to isolate himself in his room with minimal contact with other students, could actually participate.
"As everyone knows, the time I can come to the library isn't very long. I know it's only for a brief period until more students start visiting the library, but please let me work together with you. Thank you for your cooperation, Hannelore."
"I'm honored to be working alongside royalty. Unlike Lady Rozemyne, who earned top marks as a first-year, I won't be finishing all my lectures that quickly. I don't think we'll meet often at the library, but I look forward to it."
Solange listened to their exchange with a gentle smile. She was probably happy that with more collaborators, there was no longer any concern about Schwartz and the others' activities.
"I'm truly delighted that you've both become Librarians. Without Schwartz and the others, the Noble Academy library would be in dire straits."
"How would it be in trouble?"
Hildebrand asked with a serious expression, and Solange broke into a fond smile as she explained.
"The books in the Noble Academy library are the property of the royal family, so having them not returned by the deadline is a serious problem. But if Schwartz and the others aren't working properly, many books won't be returned, and there are even those who take them out without following procedures."
"Oh my—they're the property of the royal family, and yet some aren't returned?"
Hannelore blinked several times, unable to fathom how someone would not return something borrowed from the royal family.
"It was the poor manners of upper nobles from lower territories who knew that if they didn't return them, Lady Solange couldn't do much about it."
"That's something that needs to be addressed. Leaving it be would damage the authority of the royal family."
Hildebrand's strong sense of justice came through in his words, and I clapped my hands together.
"How about sending a reminder ordonnance through Prince Hildebrand this year? If it comes from royalty telling them to return the books, wouldn't everyone scramble to comply?"
"…Huh?"
While everyone stared at me wide-eyed at my proposal, Hildebrand alone, his bright violet eyes shining, clapped his hands together just as I had.
"That's a wonderful idea, Rozemyne. That way, even I, who can only visit the library for a short time, can serve a royal role."
"Prince Hildebrand agrees. What do you think, Lady Solange?"
Wouldn't it be more effective than a reminder from the Chief Priest? As I turned around eagerly, Solange placed a hand to her cheek and smiled with a troubled expression.
"A reminder from royalty directly would indeed be tremendously effective… but would it be alright for him to participate so openly?"
…Right. I tend to forget since he's usually here whenever I come to the library, but Prince Hildebrand can't act openly.
"I'll ask my father whether overseeing the return of royal books falls within the duties imposed on royalty."
If it was within the scope of royal duties, Hildebrand could act. I wanted to say, "Surely book reminders wouldn't be a royal obligation," but Hildebrand looked so happy to have found something to do that I kept my mouth shut.
…If the royal reminder becomes a reality, it would be tremendously effective, and it would be a shame to dampen his enthusiasm.
"Lady Rozemyne, would you like a fresh cup of tea?"
Brunhilde gracefully stepped forward, poured fresh tea, and placed cookies on my plate. She turned one of them upside down, smiled, and looked at me.
…Please change the subject immediately.
It seemed Hildebrand was having a good time, but as a noble, my remark was apparently a misstep.
I attended the tea party in Lieselota's masterwork matching outfits.
Lady Hannelore, I knew the prince was coming to the tea party.
But I had no idea we'd end up being Librarians together, and my heart was going haywire on the inside.
Everyone was dumbfounded as Rozemyne casually delegated work to royalty.
At a library tea party, there was no way Rozemyne could hold back.
Next is Part 2.