I had assumed the Chief Priest would return to Ehrenfest immediately after the meeting ended, but that wasn't the case. He began confirming the progress of the attendants' inter-duchy competition together with Judastes, then started issuing instructions to add new research presentations.
"What kind of research are you adding?"
"A simple study on the prayers in the Holy Book. When I get back,
It seemed the Chief Priest had hastily dressed up the notes I'd given him into something resembling a research presentation, for the sake of follow-up later. Honestly, he'd managed to polish those scattered notes—nothing more than things I'd jotted down as they came to me—into something genuinely presentable.
...As expected of a mad scientist. Impressive.
The Chief Priest was giving instructions to
"Would it be alright if I took a look?"
The research covered prayers related to water, fire, wind, and earth—prayers that even blue-robed priests could easily view. Apparently, the ideal timing would have been next year's inter-duchy competition, when I'd be taking the attendant course. However, since showing the High Priest's Holy Book was out of the question this time, he'd carefully selected the less problematic portions from a copy.
"But whose research would this be? It would make sense for me, since everyone knows I was raised in the
"Hartmut, of course. It would also serve as supplementary material for his research on the Saint of Jürgenschmidt legends. If we frame it as research he started after becoming my attendant, any roughness or lack of sophistication can be explained away."
It wasn't quite up to the quality or volume expected of a top-year student's research, apparently. But Hartmut already had his own research prepared, so adding this wouldn't be a problem. The only issue was that people would see him as an oddball who frequently visited the Temple.
"Given that I'm already well known as one of Lady
"When did you become well known for that?!"
"It was around the time Lady Rozemyne fell into her long slumber."
It turned out that after I'd played the feystyle and given my blessing at my debut, Hartmut had already begun spreading the Saint of Jürgenschmidt legends at the Noble Academy. What he'd spread was the embellished version my adoptive father had explained to the nobles.
...No wonder Prince
"Back then, Hartmut wasn't my attendant yet, was he?"
"Mother said I was getting carried away and told me to calm down, gather information properly, and think it through. She made me wait a year—but my heart was already that of an attendant."
...Ugh! Saying he was already a retainer before even becoming an attendant—that's the kind of thing Lodig would say, so why does it sound so completely different when Hartmut says it?! Ottillie, your son hasn't calmed down even after all these years!
After giving instructions to the apprentice attendants regarding the inter-duchy competition, the Chief Priest gathered the lord candidates and their attendants. It was a strategy meeting for my participation in the tea parties.
...If they'd just let me stay in my room and read, I'd be perfectly happy, but no, that's not allowed. Tch.
"But won't the current tea parties all be about Ehrenfest's books? I have absolutely no confidence in not collapsing."
When I was expressing my reservations to the Chief Priest about attending tea parties, he presented me with a necklace strung with several fairly large magic stones.
"Wear this whenever you attend a tea party. When more than half the magic stones have changed color, excuse yourself from the gathering. Your tendency to collapse from exhaustion is already known to other duchies. If you say you're feeling unwell and fear you might lose consciousness, they should allow you to leave."
It was much kinder to the hearts of the tea party attendees and hosts than having me suddenly collapse in front of them. And the Chief Priest said that when the attendants could see the stones changing color, it would be easier for them to call a stop to things. Since it was the same type of magic stone used in dedication ceremonies and such, the Magic Power wouldn't go to waste either.
...I really do look like some kind of charger.
"However, if Rozemyne leaves in the middle of a tea party, someone will always be needed to handle the aftermath. For that reason, only attend tea parties that
When the Chief Priest explained that she couldn't just be abandoned after I left,
"Uncle, that would place too heavy a burden on Charlotte. She's only just entered the Noble Academy and isn't accustomed to socializing yet. Wouldn't it be better to hold off on Rozemyne's attendance until Charlotte is more at ease?"
I couldn't exactly argue against Wilfried pointing out the excessive responsibility being placed on first-year Charlotte, so I hung my head. Tea parties at the library were one thing, but inter-duchy tea parties weren't worth putting that kind of strain on Charlotte.
...That's exactly why I keep saying I'd rather just stay in my room and read.
As I quietly sighed, the Chief Priest was looking down at Wilfried with cold, anger-filled eyes and letting out a sigh of his own. We did this almost simultaneously.
"You're the same as always—only seeing what's right in front of you, with no foresight whatsoever."
"W-What?!"
"If Rozemyne doesn't gain as much social experience as possible at the Noble Academy now, the one who'll suffer for it is you! When you become the next Lord and have to attend the Lord's Conference, you'll be forced to bring along a wife who can't socialize. At that point, Charlotte won't be around to back you up either. It's admirable that you care about your sister, but if you're to become the next Lord, you need to look beyond that."
The Chief Priest went even further, telling Wilfried that he should be on his knees begging Charlotte for her help—and this time, Wilfried was the one who hung his head.
"Charlotte, you grew up watching your unreliable older brother and sister, so I think you're quite mature for your age. I know full well that this is a burden, but I need you to always accompany Rozemyne to her tea parties."
"I may not be able to create trends like Big Sister or establish new industries in the duchy, but I'll do everything I can where I think I can help."
The determination radiating from Charlotte was dazzling. But noble tea parties were full of indirect conversations and probing questions. Ideally, inexperienced Charlotte should have been attending these protected by her older brother and sister. Instead, I—her older sister—was the liability, and she had to attend while covering for me.
...Am I failing as Charlotte's wonderful big sister? I want to be a reliable older sister like Turi.
I depressed myself with my own words. No matter how hard I tried, I'd never be the reliable older sister that Turi was—the kind who'd predict what I needed and make extra wristbands in advance, or come up with hair ornament designs for me.
"I really don't want to burden Charlotte that much, so I'd prefer not to attend tea parties and just read in my room."
"If possible, giving you a book and locking you in a room would be the best solution. But as I explained earlier, that would cause problems down the road—didn't I? What exactly were you listening to? You'll just have to attend while thinking of countermeasures."
As the Chief Priest said this, Rihyarda planted herself firmly in front of me as if to shield me.
"What exactly was I listening to? I'll throw those very words right back at you, Master
The Chief Priest slightly averted his gaze, and Rihyarda shook her head with a sigh.
"I understand that Master Ferdinand is doing everything he can for Lady Rozemyne—creating Magical Tools, thinking up countermeasures, and so on. But your words are far too harsh toward a young lady who can't even enjoy casual conversation about her favorite topics at a tea party with friends."
After that, Rihyarda shot a sharp glare at Wilfried.
"And you as well, Master Wilfried. I understand that having to clean up after every incident must feel like a burden, since you're the one who runs around dealing with the aftermath each time. But Lady Rozemyne doesn't collapse because she wants to. Is it not natural for anyone to get emotional about topics they're passionate about? This is just like telling her she mustn't be happy about winning at Gewinnen—if she's going to enjoy herself, she shouldn't even attend."
Wilfried's face went pale and he looked at me in a panic.
"I'm sorry, Rozemyne. I wasn't trying to say anything mean. It's just that unlike last year, Charlotte is here now, and I won't be called to ladies' tea parties anymore either. So rather than having you collapse at a tea party, I thought it would be safer to leave it to Charlotte alone..."
Listening to Wilfried's words, I let out a light sigh. I understood perfectly well that he didn't mean any malice, and that my not attending tea parties would actually bring more peace to Ehrenfest.
...Isn't everyone happier with me shut up in my room reading?
"Lady Rozemyne, please don't make that face. This is fundamentally the responsibility of the attendants, who were unable to make the preparations needed for you to enjoy a tea party to the very end."
Rihyarda's words snapped me back to reality. I'd been making a difficult face because I was thinking about whether there was any way I could stay cooped up, not because I was sad about not being able to attend tea parties.
"That's not what I'm thinking at all. My attendants are always thinking of various things and working hard for me. I know that."
"If that is what you believe, then please grant us a few more opportunities."
Rihyarda said that the only way forward was to attend several tea parties so that the attendants could build up experience—learning when Magic Power was likely to overflow, how much was safe, and how to navigate the situation to end the tea party without incident.
"You've already lost consciousness and ended a tea party twice. It's understandable that you've become fearful of them, but without experience, your attendants won't grow either. Even at the library tea parties, talking about borrowing books and sharing your thoughts was manageable as long as we had the magic stones. So why not try attending a tea party using the necklace that Master Ferdinand prepared?"
Rihyarda's words swayed me a little. I had been enjoying the tea party right up until the topic of the Royal Library came up. As long as I wasn't completely forbidden from discussing books, maybe I could give it a try.
...I am interested in hearing book recommendations and stories from other duchies, after all.
As if seeing right through my wavering, Charlotte took my hand and gazed at me with her sapphire-blue eyes tinged with a hint of sorrow.
"Big Sister. I was really looking forward to attending a tea party together with you. I've been eagerly waiting for you to return from Ehrenfest, so I'd be so happy if you came with me to the next one."
...You want to be with your big sister? When someone says something that sweet, I can't exactly refuse as the big sister!
"Alright. Let's go together next time."
When I smiled, Charlotte smiled back.
"Then make sure to schedule a tea party with
"Dunkelfelger?"
"Their lord candidate is probably the one most accustomed to Rozemyne, wouldn't you say? They're close enough to exchange books with, they can keep up with conversations about Rozemyne, and they'll still attend tea parties no matter how many times she collapses. A few mistakes shouldn't be a problem."
The Chief Priest's words caused Wilfried to blanch and shake his head.
"Uncle, you're misunderstanding Lady Hannalore. She isn't accustomed to Rozemyne collapsing. She was greatly shocked the other time she lost consciousness—"
"A woman of Dunkelfelger should be able to handle any situation to some degree. Even when we think we're the ones taking advantage, they're usually doing the same to us. We're even."
The Chief Priest shrugged as he said this. Hannalore didn't seem like the scheming type, but apparently Dunkelfelger's women were all schemers, and that might just be a disguise.
After listing a few more points of caution, the Chief Priest returned to Ehrenfest.
Judastes went back with him, and the apprentice attendants were swamped with preparations for the sudden addition of the new research presentation. But Hartmut's amber eyes were sparkling with energy,
As for the tea party, I'd reached out to Dunkelfelger and received a favorable reply. They said they wanted to hear a little about the modern-language translation of Dunkelfelger's historical texts that I'd provided.
...I need to do my best! So they'll approve the printing, and so I can ask for an extension on the loan period for the books I currently have!
With the knight's tale from
Dunkelfelger's tea party room was a very simple affair. There was none of the delicate, gaudy ornamentation you might expect—just white and blue décor. Even the table was a sharp-edged rectangle. In the corner of the room stood a statue of a child-sized knight mounted on a riding beast. The sculpture was clear as blue crystal, exquisitely beautiful, and looked as though it might spring to life at any moment.
...Hmm, simple, linear, modern—a stylishly different atmosphere from
As I was looking around Dunkelfelger's tea party room and thinking this, Hannalore's cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.
"Dunkelfelger doesn't really do decoration, does it? Our duchy's color is blue, so in this season it might feel a bit cold and bleak..."
She murmured that while the room felt wonderful in summer when the duchy was back in full swing, or when the knights were fired up, it looked a bit dreary for a tea party in winter like this.
"I think it shows off Dunkelfelger's strengths perfectly—no waste, clean and simple, solid and sturdy, valuing martial prowess. It may not have the cute atmosphere that girls tend to prefer, but the knights lined up along the walls feel very natural. Looking at them in this room, the knights appear incredibly strong. It's a very Dunkelfelger-like room."
Hannalore blinked in surprise several times, looked around the room, and nodded.
After being offered a seat, and once Hannalore had taken a sip each of her tea and a bite of her sweets, I ate one of the cookies I'd brought from Ehrenfest.
Then I tried the sweet Hannalore offered me. It was like yogurt mixed with dried fruit and drizzled with honey.
"Is this a Dunkelfelger specialty?"
"Yes. It's made from a fruit called loure. Loure is also used to make a drink called wizé. Adults mainly enjoy wizé, but I personally prefer dried loure. When we serve things at the Central Province or the Noble Academy, loure confections are common, but since Ehrenfest serves quatre-quarts and cookies, I thought these might be better received."
I was happy that Hannalore had prepared snacks with my preferences in mind, so I nodded with a smile.
"Yes, it's delicious. And now I really want some dried loure. I think it would be tasty in bread, too."
"Big Sister, I think it would definitely be delicious in quatre-quarts as well."
"Oh, putting loure in quatre-quarts? That does sound delicious."
Hannalore smiled softly, and when I nodded and said, "It really does," she gave instructions to her attendant. She arranged for me to receive some dried loure as a parting gift.
"If you make quatre-quarts with loure in them, please let me try some too."
"Of course."
...I'll have to ask her about it.
"Now, about the modern-language translation of Dunkelfelger's book that Lady Rozemyne prepared..."
"Was there some serious error in it?"
"No, not at all. It was, well, exceptionally well done. My brother has read through it several times as well. He seems to be completely captivated by Dunkelfelger's history."
I'd only known Restaut as the type to pick fights all the time, so I was genuinely surprised to learn he was the kind of literary boy who read books over and over. The fact that this stemmed from his love for his own duchy, and that he genuinely enjoyed reading, was admirable.
...My impression of him just went up a notch!
"So, we received an offer from the Aub to have it copied here as well. He said the details would be discussed at the inter-duchy competition and the Lord's Conference, but would that be acceptable?"
Before I could eagerly agree, Charlotte smiled and spoke up.
"We'll discuss that with the Aub as well. Let's have the two Aubs talk about the details at the competition."
"I thank you very much."
...Ah, I shouldn't have agreed so readily. I haven't even said anything yet—still safe?
The love stories from the Noble Academy were wonderful, and I heard all kinds of thoughts from Hannalore—about how she wished a lord would dedicate magic stones to her like in those stories, which ones she liked, and so on. Surprisingly, her favorite was the love story of my adoptive father and adoptive mother. She gazed dreamily at nothing in particular with glistening red eyes as she told me what she found so wonderful about it.
"Watching a man strive to win the attention of a woman from a higher-ranked and older duchy—it makes you want to root for him. And I'd love to have someone profess their love to me with that much passion."
...Wow, my adoptive father has got Hannalore swooning. What a surprise.
Charlotte, who knew these were her own parents' stories, was listening to Hannalore's impressions with a rather complicated smile.
"I prefer the story of the knight apprentice in this one. A lord who won't give up even in defeat and who goes to such lengths for the sake of love—that's not something you see often."
Now it was Hannalore who wore an awkward smile. Maybe the story was about Dunkelfelger.
...But the guy loses all the way to the end, so...
Hannalore said she was happy because the books had allowed her to lend them to others and talk about them with friends.
"Please, take a look at this as well. It's a knight's tale told to me by a woman who married in from Ahrensbach. Actually, I haven't finished copying the book I borrowed the other day yet... Since you've already returned it to me, I'd like to extend the loan, so I brought this along."
Philine offered the book to Hannalore's apprentice attendant. Hannalore lightly nodded toward her attendant.
"I didn't need you to go to such trouble, but I'll gladly read it."
...They said I can extend the loan! Yes!
I was pumping my fist and doing a mental victory pose when Rihyarda quietly touched my shoulder. I immediately looked down at the necklace. Almost half the stones had changed color. It was time for me to leave, just as the Chief Priest had instructed.
...I think I'd be fine for a little longer, though.
I was thinking that I really didn't want to leave because I was having such a good time, when Charlotte noticed the change in the necklace's color. She pressed her hand to her cheek, her sapphire-blue eyes clouded with worry.
"Big Sister, you don't look well at all, do you?"
"Hannalore, I'm terribly sorry, but I'm going to have to take my leave now. I really can't afford to collapse here and cause trouble."
As I said this, making no effort to hide my disappointment while clutching my necklace, Hannalore's expression clouded with concern.
"You mustn't push yourself. Please don't worry about us—just take care."
"I really had a wonderful time today. Please tell me more about books next time we meet. ...Charlotte, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Of course, Big Sister. Leave it to me."
I said my farewells, stood up from my seat, and left the rest to Charlotte before heading back to the dormitory. I made it all the way without collapsing along the way, and once I reached my room, I let out a long, relieved sigh. My attendants who had accompanied me felt the same way.
"...Lady Rozemyne was able to finish a tea party without collapsing, even while talking about books."
"Yes. She finished without collapsing at the tea party with the friend she's closest to. The tea party with
...I appreciate everyone's feelings, but Drewanchel is a different kind of headache entirely.
Then, two days later. A hair ornament arrived from Ehrenfest.
I received a Magical Tool for tea parties from the Chief Priest, and attended a tea party.
First was Hannalore, whom I'd been looking forward to, and we talked about books.
Since I didn't collapse this time, I can have tea parties with Drewanchel too.
Next up is the tea party with Drewanchel.