"As for the enforcement work, if permission is granted, I shall leave it to Prince
I was saying, in a roundabout way, that permission probably wouldn't be granted but that he shouldn't feel discouraged, while at the same time searching my mind for tea-party topics that would be fitting. I needed something that Hildebrand, who hadn't yet enrolled in the
...What kind of topic would royalty enjoy?
With
...A topic everyone here could get excited about. The only common ground is the Royal Academy. Oh, that's it!
"There's something I've been meaning to ask—
When I brought up the topic, both Hannalore and Solange's eyes widened slightly as they latched onto the change of subject.
"I know of several strange stories passed down at the Royal Academy, but I don't believe there are as many as twenty."
"I've also heard a number of them. As Solange says, I don't think there are quite twenty."
It seemed both of them knew several of the mysteries. Hildebrand appeared interested too—his bright purple eyes lit up and he leaned forward slightly.
"The Twenty Wonders of the Royal Academy? What kind of things are they?"
"Students find them amusing and keep adding to them. Similar stories get merged, altered, and constantly reshaped, so whether they're true or false, even their origins are unclear. A court official once told me that these were stories that existed back when our fathers and mothers were students."
"Tell me,
It seemed my topic change had been a success. Everyone was looking at me with eager expressions. But while Hildebrand looked excited, the truth was that I didn't know much about this. Rather, I intended to have Solange and Hannalore do the talking so I wouldn't say anything unnecessary.
"Let me see... The statue of the supreme god that dances on graduation night, the pavilion where the Goddess of Time plays tricks, the gargoyles that begin a ditter match, and the Sealed Archives. I don't know the details myself, but perhaps Solange and Hannalore know about some of them? Please, share what you know."
"Artur, do you know anything?"
Hildebrand turned to look up at his attendant. The attendant called Artur, a young man of about twenty, gave a troubled smile and placed a hand on Hildebrand's shoulder.
"Please listen carefully to Solange."
You mustn't make the attendant the center of attention at a tea party. Attendants were there to stand back. Hildebrand, unaccustomed to social situations, had asked out of habit, and when he let out a small "Ah" and faced forward, Solange watched him with a warm gaze and murmured, "Which story should we go with?"
"How about the tale of the supreme god at the altar? There are shrines to gods scattered throughout the Royal Academy, and there was a mischievous student who kept playing pranks at those shrines. Since he never directly targeted students or professors, he only received warnings. Emboldened, the student continued his mischief. But one day, a brilliant light poured down, and he vanished without a trace. He never returned."
"Huh? Where did he go?"
When Hildebrand and Hannalore asked with frightened expressions, Solange deepened her smile for a moment, then gently shook her head.
"Sadly, no one knows. ...Even when you think you've escaped the gods' notice, they can see everything you do. So, Your Highness and all the young ladies had better listen to those around you and behave properly, or the supreme god at the altar in the back chamber will stir to life and carry you far, far away."
...It sounded like a moral tale you'd tell small children, but the fact that it could actually happen was terrifying.
"Then, let me see. Of the stories Rozemyne mentioned, the one I know is the pavilion where the Goddess of Time plays tricks. It may be a bit early for Your Highness and the young ladies, but that pavilion is a place for secret rendezvous with someone you have romantic feelings for. It's where a lord candidate and their attendants go so the two of them can talk alone—the attendants are kept outside. Someday, you may all use it yourselves."
Solange looked around at us with a mischievous expression and let out a soft laugh.
Since the pavilion wasn't completely enclosed by walls, the attendants waiting outside could see exactly what their lord or lady was doing. However, when a Magical Tool for eavesdropping prevention was used, conversations became inaudible, making it a place where two people could speak privately. Time spent together when you could only see each other passed astonishingly quickly, which was why it was said that the Goddess of Time was playing tricks.
"But even if you're invited to the pavilion where the Goddess of Time plays tricks, you mustn't agree too readily. Others will assume you're in a romantic relationship."
At Solange's words, I remembered the love story of the Royal Academy that my mother had written.
...Oh, right. The pavilion where my adoptive father had desperately tried to lure my adoptive mother in that love story. I never understood why he was so fixated on the pavilion, but so it was a place lovers went. He'd once been told, "I will accompany you if it's somewhere else," so why not just take her somewhere else instead?
After being rejected by my adoptive mother, the poems in which my adoptive father lamented his despair to the gods had followed one after another, and I'd never fully understood his anguish—until now. As I was nodding in understanding, Hannalore shared a mystery she knew.
"The one I know is about the gargoyles that start a ditter. The gargoyles, which are about the size of a child at their Baptism Ceremony, supposedly begin a ditter in the middle of the night. I've heard there were many eyewitness accounts, but I don't know much about it myself."
...The mention of ditter always made me think Dunklefelger was somehow involved. That was Rufen's fault.
I thanked Hannalore for what she'd told me and turned my gaze to Solange.
"Solange, do you know anything about the Sealed Archives?"
"If you mean archives that cannot be opened, I know of three such places."
"Three?!"
I was startled by how casually she answered, and even more startled by the content. Solange glanced briefly at Hildebrand and his attendants, then slowly nodded.
"There were three previous Librarians. Each of them managed their own key, and there are archives that cannot be entered unless all the keys are present. To prevent theft, no one knew where the keys were kept except the holder. After they departed, the locations of the keys became unknown, and three Sealed Archives were left locked. They're archives for storing old documents that are rarely used, so there haven't been any problems so far. The keys are thought to be in their former private quarters, and we're waiting for a day when a high-ranking noble Librarian is dispatched to this library to open them."
The
...But the archives that could be opened with three keys were different from what Eustachius had said about archives only royalty could enter, right?
"Then, do you know anything about Sealed Archives that only royalty can enter?"
"I'm not aware of any—do such archives exist?"
Solange didn't know. I was disappointed. But Hildebrand, who had reacted to the phrase "only royalty," blinked.
"So if it's royalty only, I could enter."
"It's only a rumor, so I don't know if they really exist. In the current generation, few people even know these stories, so it's even less certain."
"I should ask my father and mother. They may know some interesting stories."
Hildebrand said this cheerfully and smiled. When he mentioned interesting stories that royalty knew, I couldn't help leaning forward.
"Prince Hildebrand, if you learn any interesting stories, please tell me as well."
"Yes."
Once I returned to Ehrenfest, I could ask Eustachius about it, add the stories Hildebrand shared, compile the Twenty Wonders of the Royal Academy into a book, and maybe create something boys could enjoy besides knight stories.
...Oh, books. I need to return them.
I couldn't afford to be in a flurry at the end of the gathering. I glanced toward the corner where the apprentice court officials were.
"Hannalore, as I mentioned before, I've been ordered to return to Ehrenfest. So would it be all right if I returned the books I had borrowed?"
"Of course. I shall return mine as well."
Hannalore turned to her apprentice court officials. The prepared books were exchanged between the court officials, and each side began checking for stains or damage. After watching this for a little while, Hannalore turned to me with a bright smile.
"The books Rozemyne lent me were written in the modern language and were very easy to read and enjoy. I love Ehrenfest's books."
...What do I do. I'm incredibly happy. So happy I'm at a loss for words.
These were books made from paper I'd created with
...Blessings are about to burst out! Hold it in, me!
Richelda, standing behind me as I trembled with emotion, quietly slipped me a magic stone. I gripped it and flowed Magic Power into it. As I let out a sigh of relief, Hannalore blinked several times.
"Is something the matter, Rozemyne?"
"No. I was just remembering everything that happened before these books were made. Thanks to your words, Hannalore, it all feels worthwhile. I've always wanted to have friends who would read and discuss books together like this."
"You're too kind."
Hannalore gave a modest smile at this.
"Next time, I'll lend you the love stories of the Royal Academy. They contain stories and rumors that actually happened among our mothers' and aunts' generations. I couldn't tell whose stories they were, but Professor
Philine brought the love stories to me, and then Philine handed them over to Hannalore's apprentice court official. The apprentice court official took them, quickly flipped through, and gave them to Hannalore.
"I wonder if there are any stories about Dunklefelger?"
"There were several with apprentice knights as the protagonists, so perhaps they're stories about Dunklefelger's apprentice knights."
There had been a story about an apprentice knight who pledged his ditter victory to his beloved. There were versions where he won and versions where he lost, but if it was Dunklefelger, they'd fight until they won, so it was probably the one about the knight who won.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"If Hannalore knows any Dunklefelger love stories, please do share them. They could become books like these. If your apprentice court officials turn them into manuscripts, I'd gladly buy them."
The ones whose eyes lit up at my words weren't Hannalore—it was her apprentice court officials. If they gathered many stories for me, I'd be thrilled, so I truly hoped they would do their best.
"Rozemyne, please let me read Ehrenfest's new books as well. Given my profession, I have a weakness for new books."
"I understand that feeling perfectly. Hartmut, please give that book to Solange."
I had Hartmut pass the romance-heavy knight stories I'd just gotten back from Hannalore to Solange. Solange received the book from Hartmut, gently ran her fingers over the cover, and gazed at the flower watermark with a curious expression. Then she opened it with a soft flip.
"Ehrenfest's books are thin, easy to carry, and very easy to read. They even have illustrations, which is wonderful."
Hannalore, flushed with excitement, enthusiastically pitched Ehrenfest's books to Solange. Solange looked up, beaming at Hannalore.
"Yes. Just having someone like Hannalore who loves books is enough to show how wonderful Ehrenfest's books are."
Solange's words filled me with happiness. I was so grateful for the sudden recall order I could almost cry. I wanted to rush back to Ehrenfest right away and praise everyone at the Plantan Workshop and the Mine Workshop.
...I'd report that even the lord candidate from a greater duchy was happy about them! Lutz would definitely share in the joy, but would
Winter was a time for conservation—food stores had to last, so luxury was off the table. I resolved that once spring came, I'd ask them to make the orphans' meals a little more special. While I was making this decision, Hildebrand compared Solange and Hannalore with his eyes, then hesitantly spoke up.
"Um, Rozemyne. I'd also like to read Ehrenfest's books, if that would be all right?"
"Of course, Prince Hildebrand."
Yes! I mentally pumped my fist. Since I'd failed once before, if Hildebrand hadn't brought it up himself, I wouldn't have been able to recommend Ehrenfest's books. When I looked at Hartmut, he held out the knight stories to Hildebrand's attendant, Artur.
"I lent Hannalore romance-focused knight stories, but I think battle-focused stories would be more enjoyable for gentlemen. I made this book with the idea of letting children who had learned to read enjoy reading. For adults, it's a light read, but for children, I think it's the perfect book for getting accustomed to reading."
Artur, who had been listening to my explanation, nodded lightly, checked the contents, and presented it to Hildebrand.
"As Rozemyne says, this book is at just the right difficulty level for the current Prince Hildebrand."
It wasn't an easy read, but it wasn't so incomprehensible that you'd throw in the towel. Hildebrand held the book like Hannalore and Solange, and nodded happily, saying, "I'll do my best to read it."
"Then, I shall lend one to Rozemyne as well.
As if she'd been waiting for everyone to have their books, Hannalore said this and turned her gaze to her apprentice court official. The Dunklefelger apprentice court official called Clarissa handed a thick, sturdily bound book to Hartmut.
"Thank you very much, Hannalore. Now I have something to look forward to when I return to Ehrenfest."
Having obtained a new book to read, the pain of being separated from the Royal Academy library was softened. Hannalore was my savior.
"Um, Rozemyne—how was it? The, well, the Dunklefelger book has rather archaic phrasing, doesn't it?"
Looking at Ehrenfest's books, it was understandable that one might worry about not being able to understand Dunklefelger's. I smiled and shook my head.
"I'm accustomed to old phrasing from the Holy Book, and I was overwhelmed by the length and depth of Dunklefelger's history. It was very enjoyable."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Hannalore smiled with a look of relief. Taking advantage of that smile, I made an important request.
"So, um, I have a favor to ask of you, Hannalore."
"What is it?"
"I translated Dunklefelger's historical texts into the modern language, and I'd like you to check them for errors."
"...Huh?"
At Hannalore's and Clarissa's blinking, Hartmut presented the stack of modern-language translation manuscripts. Clarissa took them, flipped through, and her eyes went wide.
"There's a great deal here, so I don't think it would be possible to check for errors on the spot."
"Of course I'll lend them to you. I'm not asking you to check them here."
At my words, Hannalore readily agreed, saying, "In that case, I'll have them checked."
"Also, since I've already gone to the trouble of writing it, I'd like to publish it as a book in Ehrenfest—would you permit that?"
"You want to publish Dunklefelger's history as a book in Ehrenfest?"
Hannalore looked puzzled and turned to her attendant. Reading books about other duchies' histories was very enjoyable, but perhaps they didn't do that sort of thing much. Or maybe it was forbidden to take them out.
"...That's not something I can decide on my own. Could I, well, take the manuscript back and consult with the Aub?"
"Yes, please do."
...May Aub Dunklefelger grant permission readily.
"Then, let me lend you some of these materials. You might enjoy feeling like a Librarian."
Solange lent me work reports written by Librarians from several generations ago. Apparently, these were important reports that Solange had referenced while working after the sudden disappearance of the high-ranking noble Librarian.
"There are also descriptions of Magical Tools that once operated in this library. They might serve as reference when you think about Magical Tools."
These weren't materials on the shelves for lending—they were work reports written by a serving Librarian. There might be no more detailed documentation about the library's Magical Tools.
"I love you, Solange."
"Oh my..."
As Solange chuckled, Hartmut took the materials and stacked them on top of the books borrowed from Dunklefelger.
My eyes followed the pile of books I'd never read before. I wanted to read them immediately. But if I picked up a book in the middle of a tea party, everything else would disappear from view. My attendants knew this well, and
"Artur, I'd also like to give Rozemyne something in return. Do you have any good books?"
Hildebrand turned to his attendant and said this. As royalty, it would be natural for him to receive offerings, and no one would think twice about him not returning gifts. But Hildebrand was dutifully thinking about giving books as a return gift.
...Whoa! Prince Hildebrand is a truly wonderful prince. Books from the central nobility!
While I was deeply moved by the prospect of reading books from an unknown territory, Artur lowered his eyes thoughtfully.
"It would be possible to select a book by next time, but..."
After saying this, Artur glanced briefly at me.
"Wouldn't Rozemyne be happier if we obtained permission to invite you to the Royal Palace library?"
Overcome with joy, I collapsed on the spot.
The Twenty Wonders and book exchanges.
And as usual, I ended by collapsing.
Next time: the return trip.