"We have been expecting you, Aub Ehrenfest. And you as well, Lord
The soldier at the border gate showed visible relief at our arrival.
"Justus, where would be the best place to park the riding beasts so the luggage can be moved most easily?"
"Then please come this way, Lady Rozemyne."
...Don't shout so loudly. You'll make Ahrensbach's people think we lack composure, you fool.
Since I couldn't call out loudly from here, I let out a sigh and let it go. The saintly figure who had bestowed the blessing of all attributes before our departure was already nowhere to be found. Apparently that ethereal, beautiful scene had been a trick of my eyes, brought on by the sentimentality of leaving Ehrenfest—which was quite unlike me.
...I'd love to study that beautiful magic circle I saw for the first time.
It was a magic circle of all attributes, yet possessed a beauty with absolutely no wasted elements. Tracing the magic circle burned into my mind with my fingertips on the palm of my hand, I stopped my thoughts there. I shook my head and brushed away the magic circle that had come to mind. I was not heading somewhere where I'd have the luxury for such things. From here on, I would have to deal with Aub Ahrensbach and
"It is an honor to meet you."
When I went to the room where the Ahrensbach people were said to be waiting, the first thing I heard was a youthful voice.
"...Letizia is acting as their representative?"
The representative who had come to greet us was Letizia.
Aub Ahrensbach was in poor health, Dietlinde was in the middle of intensive lord education and was far too busy to appear, and Georgine was supposed to have come but had fallen ill, so at the last minute it was decided Letizia would come instead.
"Though I have not yet enrolled in the
Looking down at Letizia, who despite her youth was greeting Sylvester firmly and properly, I lightly pressed my temple. The Aub Ahrensbach being in poor health and Dietlinde being forced through her education were probably both true. What concerned me most was Georgine. Everything related to the Holy Book seemed to connect back to her. That alone might not be the end of it.
...I'm deeply curious about what she could possibly be plotting.
"We have prepared a carriage as proposed by Aub Ehrenfest. Where is Ehrenfest's carriage?"
"...It is not a carriage. Ehrenfest transported its luggage by riding beast."
Letizia wore an expression that suggested she didn't understand, and we went outside together. Rozemyne had moved the riding beasts to make unloading easier and was opening up the large rear section after having already loaded a great deal of luggage.
"Um, Aub Ehrenfest... is that a riding beast?"
"Yes. Have riding beasts of the mounted type not yet been seen in Ahrensbach?"
"...I have heard about them, and at the Royal Academy, a number of lower-year students do use mounted riding beasts. However, this is the first time I have seen one so large."
"Being able to freely change its size is something only Rozemyne can do, I believe."
Sylvester smiled slightly as he explained Rozemyne's riding beast. Letizia listened with apparent interest. Unlike Dietlinde, she seemed capable of listening to others speak. As someone who had been appointed her tutor, that alone was somewhat reassuring.
"Please have Lord Ferdinand's luggage transferred."
"Yes, ma'am!"
At Letizia's direction, the accompanying knights and the border gate knights began transferring the luggage.
Even to us, Rozemyne's riding beast was a familiar sight, but for the Ahrensbach knights it was evidently quite novel, and astonished gazes were fixed upon it. In Ehrenfest, this was already an unremarkable sight, and no one showed much surprise. For that reason, the knights carrying luggage—while warily eyeing what appeared to be a fat Gryan—looked somewhat comical.
Justus and Rozemyne were giving directions, but it was cold enough for snow to be flurrying. Rozemyne should get inside the border gate as soon as possible.
"I will handle the directing. Tell Rozemyne to go inside the border gate."
"Yes, sir!"
One of the knights ran over and conveyed my message. Rozemyne looked in my direction, then slowly walked over.
"Lord Ferdinand, shouldn't you be deepening your rapport with the people of Ahrensbach? I can give directions for the luggage transfer, you know."
"It's flurrying today. What are you doing out here on a day when even healthy people look like they might take ill? Go inside at once."
"...It was a rare chance for me to be of use, though."
I wordlessly pinched the mouth of the complaining Rozemyne. Her cheeks were so soft and pleasant to pinch that I ended up applying more force than intended, and with her cheek still between my fingers, I wiggled my hand back and forth.
"Ith hurths!"
"If you don't go in, then
I ordered Rozemyne's attendants to get her inside promptly while she pouted and rubbed her cheeks, and then I watched the luggage being brought out one piece after another. Even during my pointless exchange with Rozemyne, the luggage was dwindling rapidly. It was a vivid reminder that my time in Ehrenfest was decreasing with every passing moment.
"Ferdinand."
Sylvester opened his mouth as if to say something, then clenched his back teeth and lowered his gaze. It was a habit he often displayed when suppressing the emotions welling up inside him, and seeing it, I too lowered my gaze slightly.
"As I told you the other day, if you leave through a marriage arrangement, you will be treated as a person of Ahrensbach, just as my sister was."
...Your eyes are glistening, Sylvester. What good is an Aub who can't hide his emotions?
I wanted to tease him about that, but for some reason the words wouldn't come. A searing pain spread through my throat as if it were on fire, and I swallowed hard.
Sylvester glared at me resentfully, then spoke.
"Ferdinand, that night I said everything I wanted to say to you. ...Whether you remember it or not, I don't know."
I remembered the last night Sylvester and Karstedt and I had shared drinks together. "You've been dragged along for quite a while now. At least hear him out about what's going on," Karstedt had said, and when he brought me to Sylvester's private chambers, Sylvester was already quite far into his cups and had been waiting for me in a completely drunk state.
"You came, Ferdinand! Now, drink!"
He thrust a filled cup at me with such force that droplets splashed out, and I grimaced slightly while glaring at him. "I don't have time to prepare for the trip to Ahrensbach," I said. In truth, I wanted to escape quickly because dealing with Sylvester in this state seemed like an enormous hassle.
But when Sylvester resentfully said, "You have time to make that kind of charm for Rozemyne, but you don't have time to drink with me?", I had no choice but to pick up the cup. It reminded me that I needed to ask him to look after Rozemyne.
"Ferdinand, you're heartless."
"Only now you've realized that? No matter what, that's far too late."
"That's exactly the kind of thing that's unlikable. I wanted to be the kind of brother people could rely on."
It sounded remarkably similar to what Rozemyne had said when she was foolishly trying to become the kind of sister
"I am relying on you."
"Now you're just saying whatever sounds convenient!"
"...Even this drunk, you can still tell, I see. But it's not entirely a lie."
As I said this, I slowly brought the cup to my lips. A woody aroma, reminiscent of aged barrels, rose up, and the moment I took a single sip, the fragrance intensified. At the same time, a rich, mellow flavor spread through my mouth, passing down my throat accompanied by a gentle bitterness. They had apparently prepared an excellent wine suited to my tastes.
I was taking another sip with a loosened expression when Sylvester grinned proudly.
"Well? It's good, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's a fine taste."
Pleased by my affirmation, Sylvester chuckled and drank from his own cup in the same manner. Seeing that Sylvester had calmed down somewhat, Karstedt gave a wry smile and picked up his cup as well.
"After I'm gone, you all will be the ones protecting Rozemyne. I've given her as many protective charms as I could, and I intend to give her my estate as a library to bind her to Ehrenfest so she won't go wandering off to other territories, but even so, with just Wilfried, I'm still uneasy."
Sylvester's eyes widened at my words.
"...That's the estate you received from Father, isn't it? I had intended to manage it myself, but are you going to give it to Rozemyne?"
"I have no children. It's only natural to give it to Rozemyne, my ward, isn't it?"
"That's true, but I never thought Ferdinand would give something away to someone else."
Being looked at in astonishment by both Sylvester and Karstedt, I felt a twinge of embarrassment and let out a quiet breath.
"I did agonize over giving away the estate Father granted me. But going forward, I thought Rozemyne would need something tangible as a weight to repel the temptations coming from the central government. An engagement to Wilfried alone isn't enough."
Rozemyne had told me that among the nobles, I was the one who worried about her the most. In other words, I had thought of all sorts of ways to forge a chain binding Rozemyne to noble society, but apparently my efforts hadn't been very effective.
"That child is no ordinary person by birth, so noble common sense doesn't apply to her. If that's the case, then I myself—the person Rozemyne recognizes as family—will have to be the chain. For that reason, I've tried to behave as family-like as Rozemyne desires, as much as possible."
"...And the result of that was that hairpin, I take it."
For some reason, Karstedt let out an exasperated sigh.
"If Rozemyne looked her age, it would be understandable for people to think it was a marriage proposal."
"I'm still her guardian, and given how she looks, there shouldn't be an issue. If Wilfried, as her fiancé, had been able to make something like that for her, there would have been no problem, but there was simply no time to hammer the necessary skills into him, and Wilfried wouldn't have had sufficient magic power or materials anyway."
"Don't be absurd!"
I nodded once at Sylvester's words. Even I thought it was too much to ask, which was precisely why I hadn't made the request of Wilfried.
"Besides, I thought it would be unfair to ask you to make it when you're already so busy with winter plans, so I made it myself. Once Wilfried matures and can remake it, there's no issue, and once he graduates from the Royal Academy and you're married, there'll be no need to worry about interference from the central government, so you can simply remove my gift."
As I lightly waved my hand and said this, looking like I was growing bored of the conversation, Sylvester started grumbling again, blaming himself for not being able to resist the royal decree and Ahrensbach's pressure. The same complaints continued to swirl around and around.
Sylvester called me heartless for never consulting him, lamented his inability to act freely, and in the end resigned himself to being a brother who couldn't be relied upon, becoming so emotional that it was almost pathetic as he declared, "If you go, I'll be in trouble, so don't go."
"...Sylvester, Rozemyne—you two really are troublesome."
"Just accept a straightforward, guileless affection for what it is, Ferdinand. You, the cynical one, are wearing that kind of smile. Surely you have some awareness of the affection directed at you?"
I made an annoyed face at Karstedt's observation, but it was true that I felt a faint flush of embarrassment at realizing just how much I was needed. Perhaps, as Rozemyne had pointed out, I truly was insensitive to the affection directed my way, though I was somewhat reluctant to admit it.
"Ferdinand, your
Sylvester shouted this and fell asleep.
"...I remember."
It wasn't only that night that I remembered. He had taken me in as a younger brother when I was nothing more than someone Father had brought along, put on airs as an older brother, and dragged me all over the place. When
With Father gone, the only person I could truly call family was Sylvester. But once I went to Ahrensbach, Sylvester would have to treat me as a person of Ahrensbach. Sneaking into his private chambers on a riding beast while clearing everyone out to share drinks, having idle conversations, plotting together... none of that would be possible anymore.
...Hadn't I already known this? It was strange that I was only now feeling this sense of loss.
I noticed that Sylvester had been watching me with a serious expression as I let a bitter smile cross my face. I caught his gaze and composed my expression. Sylvester looked at me with concern and quietly exhaled.
"Then, rather than clinging to Ehrenfest, please make your own happiness in Ahrensbach the top priority. That is the only thing I ask of you."
Despite never having given such a thought a single time in all these years, both Sylvester and Rozemyne were far too concerned with "my happiness."
...Wasn't Ehrenfest more important than something like that?
I could have thrown those words back at him. I could have refused. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to say it now, and I fell silent.
"...I won't forget those words, Brother."
I turned away from Sylvester and made my departure. Inside the border gate, I could see Rozemyne saying something to Letizia. Since Letizia hadn't yet entered the Royal Academy, she and Rozemyne weren't all that different in height.
...Is Rozemyne a little taller now?
I thought she had seemed slightly shorter when I saw her at
A hair ornament identical to Rozemyne's was swaying in Letizia's golden hair. It was probably what Rozemyne had prepared to give to her as a gift from me.
...Why are you giving it on my behalf?
As I sighed and approached, I could see the attendants surrounding the two girls—who appeared to be roughly the same age—struggling to contain their smiles. When Wilfried spotted me, his expression changed and he moved to stop Rozemyne, but I gestured for him to hold back, stepped behind Rozemyne, and listened in to what they were saying.
"...So, that's why Lord Ferdinand's kindness is roundabout and very hard to understand. And also, he's dedicated to teaching and very strict, but that's because he wishes for Lady Letizia's growth. If he is ever too harsh, just let me know and I'll ask them to make improvements from my side as well, so please don't hesitate to speak up."
"Rozemyne, what on earth are you saying?"
"Ngyah!?"
The instant I spoke, Rozemyne literally jumped in the air, then forced a stiff smile as she retreated backward step by step.
"I wasn't saying anything bad! I was simply pointing out things to be mindful of, so that Lord Ferdinand wouldn't be misunderstood. Right, Lady Letizia?"
"Eh? Y-yes, that's right."
Letizia's face clearly said "Don't drag me into this," but Rozemyne had the look of someone who knew she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't have.
...Even with that carefully arranged smile, you're completely transparent, you fool.
Normally I would have pinched her cheek and demanded she tell me honestly what she had actually been saying, but given the presence of Ahrensbach's people, I held back.
"Don't take Rozemyne's words too seriously. ...Also, it looks like the luggage transfer is finished."
The moment I said that, Rozemyne's hand grabbed my sleeve. Looking up at me with golden eyes, the same worry as Sylvester's was reflected in them—the kind of concern that couldn't be helped.
"I'll deliver the letters through Laimunt. ...I keep my promises, so you must be extremely careful."
As I spoke these words while gently removing Rozemyne's hand from my sleeve, she quietly nodded and took one step back. Wilfried was standing where she had retreated to.
"Wilfried, I'm leaving the rest to you."
"Yes, Uncle. Please take care of yourself."
And then, without looking back, I passed through the border gate and climbed into the carriage. Eckhart sat beside me, and across from us sat Letizia and her escort knight.
The carriage began to move slowly, and after a short while, I could see from the window a formation of riding beasts all taking flight from Ehrenfest's side. Rozemyne's riding beast stood out even from a distance. The strangeness of knowing I was not among them was almost overwhelming.
"...Um, Lord Ferdinand. What kind of person is Lady Rozemyne?"
While I was gazing out the window, Letizia timidly addressed me. She must have been desperately searching for a topic of conversation, and the fact that Rozemyne—who she had only just been discussing—was what she came up with suggested that she and Dietlinde didn't have a particularly close relationship. As I thought this, I shifted my gaze from outside to Letizia.
"How did Rozemyne appear to you, Lady Letizia? The first time you met was at the starbinding ceremony at the border gate, but today was your first time speaking with her, wasn't it?"
"She's an excellent lord candidate from Ehrenfest, known as the Saint, who won top marks at the Royal Academy two years running—I've heard she was raised by you, Lord Ferdinand. When I saw her conducting ceremonies as the High Priestess, I thought she was very beautiful, but after speaking with her today, she was far kinder and easier to talk to than I had imagined. And she truly does worry about you, Lord Ferdinand..."
That fool had apparently told Letizia—who was virtually a stranger—"Please take care of Lord Ferdinand" multiple times, while rattling off a list of things to be mindful of.
"And also, Lady Rozemyne said this was a gift from Lord Ferdinand, but isn't it something that Lady Rozemyne prepared herself?"
Letizia touched the hair ornament gently as she spoke, her blue eyes narrowing happily. A red flower, in the color of winter, adorned Letizia's golden hair, in preparation for use in the winter social season.
...All she does is meddle and take matters into her own hands, that Rozemyne.
"I am her guardian and practically family, so Rozemyne is probably worried about me, but recently her concern has been a bit over the top—sometimes even to the point of being a bother."
Letizia let out a small laugh, as if remembering Rozemyne's list of cautions, and then quietly added in a small voice: "Practically family... I'm a little envious."
Come to think of it, I recalled that this child's ties to her family were thin as well. She had been taken in as her grandparents' adopted daughter at a young age, so her biological parents were in
The relatives who remained were Georgine, who had originally been her grandfather's third wife, Dietlinde, who was slated to become her adoptive mother, and myself—set to become her adoptive father through marriage to Dietlinde. Neither she nor anyone around her could be at ease under such circumstances.
"I imagine Lady Letizia's position is quite a difficult one. You need not trust me personally, but surely you can trust the royal decree? To educate you and, upon your coming of age, make you Aub Ahrensbach—that is the duty the king and the Aub of Ahrensbach have placed upon me."
Not only Letizia, but the escort knight beside me wore a puzzled expression at my words.
"A duty? ...What would you intend to do if Lady Dietlinde insists on remaining Aub?"
"You would petition the king. An Aub who defies a royal decree would be dealt with by the central government."
If defying a royal decree were something easily forgiven, I wouldn't be here. Even if Dietlinde clung to the position of Aub, as long as the royal decree existed, nothing would come of it.
"You seem quite puzzled?"
"No, it's just that Lady Dietlinde had told me that you, Lord Ferdinand, would try your best to grant her wishes if possible, so I was a bit surprised."
...I had indeed said that, but "try my best" was the operative phrase, so I wasn't technically wrong.
"Which is more important—one's wife's wishes or a royal decree? The answer should be self-evident."
"...Yes, that's true."
Letizia gazed out the window as she said this. Looking in the direction of Ehrenfest, she smiled with apparent relief.
"After you marry Lady Dietlinde and become my adoptive father, I wanted to know what kind of person you were. I received information about your academic performance during your time at the Royal Academy, but no one spoke about your character. However, if you are a noble who prioritizes royal decrees, someone close to Ehrenfest who was so genuinely worried about, reluctant to part from, and beloved by the people there... then I would like to trust Lady Rozemyne's words."
...You really don't need to trust Rozemyne's words that much.
I swallowed the words that had nearly reached my throat. Letizia was projecting a friendly atmosphere, and there was no need to trample on that. To make life even slightly easier in Ahrensbach, it would be better to earn the trust of Letizia and those around her.
As I pondered what I could do to earn a bit more trust, Rozemyne's various proposals came to mind.
...No, wait. There had to be something else.
It would be a waste of travel time, and once we arrived at Ahrensbach's castle, I wouldn't know when I'd have the chance to talk. Since it was something that would have to be done sooner or later anyway, I used the time in the carriage to present Letizia with several proposals regarding her educational plan. Incidentally, at the inn, I had dinner while exchanging opinions with Letizia, including her head attendant.
Gradually building trust, I kept thinking about ways to "make allies" beyond what Rozemyne had suggested. But throughout my life, I had at best avoided making enemies—I had never once actively tried to make allies, and no brilliant ideas were forthcoming.
"If you simply played the harp as the Lady suggested, would that not be sufficient?"
Justus said this while trying to contain his laughter, and Eckhart nodded, saying, "I too am looking forward to hearing Lord Ferdinand's harp."
...At this rate, wasn't I going to end up playing the harp exactly as Rozemyne had instructed?
In the end, despite thinking about it the entire journey, no good ideas surfaced after several days either, and I arrived at Ahrensbach's castle. Ahrensbach's noble district was quite warm compared to Ehrenfest, and despite the winter social season about to begin, the climate felt more like mid-autumn.