I wrote a letter to
Using this tool, colors would suddenly appear on the page, causing anyone absorbed in a book to look up in surprise. Taking advantage of that momentary distraction to snatch the book away made it extremely effective at stopping people from reading, and it was very popular among the Attendants. Personally, I would have preferred a magical tool that returned finished books to the shelves on its own, but the Attendants insisted forcefully that "it is essential for Lady
"Why not research the light-showering tool first, and then move on to the one Lady Rozemyne wants?"
"I'm sure Professor Hirschur would agree, wouldn't she?"
The reason Hirschur and Raimund so readily adopted the Attendants' opinion was that the Attendants, who prepared their meals, had launched a campaign to win them over with food.
…I understand the weakness for delicious meals all too well, but it still doesn't sit right with me! I'm the one who has to prepare it, after all!
"I'm heading to the library to research the light-showering magical tool."
"Raimund, I would like to come along and ask Schwartz and company whether they have any reference materials—"
"If all you need to do is ask Schwartz and company, Raimund can handle that. Besides, Your Highness is banned from the royal family's library, are you not? If you wish to read, please return to your room."
…Uuugh, I want to go too.
Being told that by Richarda, my shoulders slumped. Being told I'm not allowed makes me want to go even more. I still have unfinished books in my room so I can manage, but once I've finished them, I'm sure withdrawal symptoms will set in.
"My lady, weren't you going to deliver the copied materials to Professor Hirschur?"
Lieselotta said this and handed me a bundle of papers. It was a copy of the book belonging to the person who had previously researched Schwartz and company.
"These were written by someone who studied Schwartz and company in the past. These are only on loan, so please have Professor Hirschur copy only the parts she deems necessary. They are materials I intend to show to Lord Ferdinand eventually, so I cannot simply give them away."
"Where on earth was such material found? It wasn't where the research results on the second floor are kept."
"They were apparently in the closed stacks. Professor
At my words, Hirschur blinked back and forth between me and the materials.
"I suppose I tend to ask my disciple to do errands rather than asking Solange directly. I wonder how many materials are stored in those closed stacks?"
"I hear the closed stacks contain materials so valuable they must be preserved with magical tools, so you might want to ask Professor Solange about it sometime."
The closed stacks, packed with precious materials, were apparently a part of the library that Solange had not been able to fully manage until now. It was only after Schwartz and company began moving, more collaborators joined, and anxiety about Schwartz and company's Magic Power was resolved that she could finally begin attending to them.
Solange had apparently said that during the period when she alone was protecting the library, she lacked the Magic Power needed to supply the preservation storage, and some degradation had progressed as a result. Ortansia was now prioritizing the supply of Magic Power to those areas, which was apparently quite taxing.
…The library needs more Magic Power.
"Lady Rozemyne, you said you planned to give these to Lord Ferdinand, but he doesn't exactly have an environment suitable for research, does he?"
"He still doesn't have his own room, and there's no hidden chamber either, so research seems rather out of the question at the moment. However, his reply stated that he wished to conduct research."
I wanted to at least secure the materials for him. And once the hidden chamber was built and a proper research environment was ready, I wanted to stuff the Leherl full of tools, materials, and resources, then storm into the castle at
…I can't imagine the Aub Ahrensbach would grant permission for that, so I'll probably just leave it at idle musings.
"Anyone who has transferred to another territory typically stays in guest quarters until they are married. Lord Ferdinand's case was rather rushed, though. Having no hidden chamber for an extended period must feel suffocating. I hope things work out."
We were supposed to be worrying about Ferdinand at Ahrensbach together, but Hirschur quickly shifted gears: "I will conduct the research thoroughly on Lord Ferdinand's behalf, so please return to your room and enjoy some reading, Lady Rozemyne. If you come across any useful materials, bring them to me. Also, it would be wise to submit your report to Frauleurm before long."
…Huh? I wanted to keep talking about Ferdinand a little longer.
I couldn't very well pester Hirschur, who had already become focused on copying the materials. There wasn't much I could do as the test-product assistant until Raimund finished the design, so I decided to return to my room and read. I wanted to finish quickly so I could borrow the next book.
As I read, tea party invitations began trickling in one after another. The social season at the Noble Academy was apparently getting underway. The Attendants coordinated schedules with Charlote's Attendants and sent out confirmations that we would attend together.
In parallel, I had arranged a meeting with Frauleurm. As Hirschur had instructed, I needed to submit the second research progress report, and I also had to point out that the first report had apparently not arrived.
Frauleurm seemed interested in the joint research's progress as well, and unlike when I applied for the examination, I received a date and time appointment immediately.
When I brought the report, Frauleurm smoothly extended a hand. The hand was firmly gloved, and she did not seem inclined to read it on the spot. Reminded of how Ferdinand would be when on guard against poison, I handed over the report.
"Come to think of it, Professor Frauleurm. The first report still hasn't reached Lord Ferdinand, it seems. Have you been sending reports to Ahrensbach?"
"Then the civil officials at Ahrensbach must be rather lax. I certainly sent them to Ahrensbach."
Frauleurm said this without meeting my eyes. I pressed my hand to my cheek and let out a sigh.
"I see. Then perhaps we need to inquire of Lady Dieterlinde. Having lax officials in a greater territory is quite a problem. It must be troublesome for you as well, Professor Frauleurm, given your expertise in information gathering and organization."
"Yes. That is indeed the case."
Frauleurm said this with a plastered-on smile, her eyes glancing back and forth to gauge my reaction.
"…How does Lady Rozemyne communicate with Lord Ferdinand?"
"Lord Ferdinand is my guardian, so I do have several means of communication, but telling you that would be like handing the Shield of
There was no point in answering, and when I asked what she would even use the information for, she said "Nnn, well!" and turned away.
"More importantly, Professor Frauleurm, do you know roughly when Lady Dieterlinde's lectures will end?"
"Now that truly would be like handing the Shield of Schutzaria to the Leidenshaft."
"We have cousins' tea parties to schedule and hair ornaments to deliver, but as you know, Professor Frauleurm, we are both busy with joint research, and our schedules are filling up with tea parties, so I simply wanted to know in advance. If the schedule absolutely cannot be aligned, please convey to Lady Dieterlinde that I will have an Attendant deliver the hair ornaments instead."
With three joint research projects on top of everything else, and the Attendants eager to make social connections this year since it was now or never, I was half-heartedly responding to their arrangements while reading, and my schedule filled up without my even noticing.
Honestly, I would rather read than attend tea parties, but this year I also have the task of building relationships with as many territories as possible and improving the reputations of my adoptive father and Ehrenfest however I can. Given that Ahrensbach seems to be the one actively spreading bad rumors, I felt like pushing their tea party to the back of the queue.
…I do want to hear how Ferdinand is doing in Ahrensbach, so I intend to attend the cousins' gathering, but I'm not exactly enthusiastic about it.
"Sister, tea party invitations keep arriving. Which ones will you attend?"
"More already?"
When I returned from Frauleurm's research lab, even more invitations had arrived. Several tea parties were already confirmed. Staring at the wooden invitation tags with a faint sense of exhaustion at the thought of losing even more reading time, Charlote smiled consolingly.
"This is the start of the full social season, and since the dormitory supervisor has made it known that you are busy with joint research, most territories are aware. They want to secure commitments as early as possible."
This was because once the Interterritorial Tournament approached, the rush of research would likely leave no room for socializing.
"Besides, this is the first time you have not returned for the Deduction Ceremony."
"I cannot possibly socialize every day. I would probably collapse."
Even though my health had improved somewhat, overloading my schedule was dangerous. I needed to pace things so that after one day of tea parties, I could take two days to read. Otherwise, I would have no way to cope if my condition suddenly deteriorated.
"That's true. We never know when joint research with
I discussed with the Attendants and began filling in tea party dates. Then an ornucz flew in.
"This is Dieterlinde of Ahrensbach. I am quite busy myself and can hardly find time. Let us hold the cousins' tea party four days from now in the afternoon."
I understood that Frauleurm had relayed the message to Dieterlinde, but to simply announce it as a decided matter without any prior consultation or coordination between Attendants felt rather improper.
"…We can't decline, can we?"
"Sister must have been pressed. Let us inform Brother of the schedule as well."
Sighing at Charlote's words, I realigned the schedule with my attendants and sent an ornucz of acknowledgment.
And so the day of the tea party arrived. Today I would be acting separately from Charlote. With Ahrensbach's event now on the calendar, we had no choice but to split up. This was a tea party with a lower-ranked territory. Some territories apparently believed that since Ehrenfest had been neutral, they would be more readily accepted than if they tried to cozy up to the winning side.
According to Charlote, we needed to focus on building good relationships with lower-ranked territories and drawing them under our umbrella, but I had no idea how to do that. Ehrenfest itself was still groping its way through changing relationships. Charlote didn't seem to have enough know-how to teach me either. This was the downside of having shot up in rank so rapidly.
"I have always wanted to speak with the renowned Lady Rozemyne, the Saint of Ehrenfest."
At the tea party, I was basically showered with compliments the entire time. Ehrenfest's sweets were praised, Rozina's music was praised, they clamored for more performances, and musicians from other territories watched with keen interest, trying to memorize everything.
Book lending and borrowing also took place.
"Last year it was so sudden that we couldn't get permission to bring books out of the territory, but this year I obtained the Aub's permission in advance, so…"
I wanted to maintain good relations with territories willing to lend books freely. I accepted with a smile and, in return, lent out Ehrenfest's books. Apparently they wanted to read them because they were trending in the greater territories.
…Trends really do flow best from the top down. I hope this kind of reading culture spreads more and more.
My ability to smile naturally lasted only until the point where we moved on to the book exchange.
The lower-ranked territories seemed intensely curious about how Ehrenfest had risen in rank, and their questions grew relentless until I had no choice but to respond with a forced smile.
"The rise was truly extraordinary. To climb so many ranks in just a few years—there must be some secret strategy, surely?"
"To be simultaneously conducting three joint research projects with greater territories—Lady Rozemyne, you are truly exceptional. The trends you set, the joint research, and the kindness of continuing to serve as High Priest even after becoming an adoptive daughter. The Aub who recognized Lady Rozemyne's brilliance and adopted her has wonderful discernment."
"The Aub of Ehrenfest is said to be a terrible person who shoved head candidates who were not his own children into the
Each time, I denied the bad rumors about my adoptive father and explained that all the head candidates were traveling through rural villages for the Prayer Ceremony and Harvest Festival and that great emphasis was placed on education, but they never really believed me. Strangely, they always responded with something like, "How kind you are to protect him like that, Lady Rozemyne."
…I'm not—! Hey, hello? Are you even listening to me?!
Having the badmouthing of my adoptive father repeated over and over, being told in veiled noble language that only
…I'm glad the tea party ended before I unleashed an indiscriminate omnidirectional intimidation. Seriously, I held back.
Back in my room, before reporting to the others in Ehrenfest, I held a debriefing. I surveyed the attendants who had accompanied me to the tea party.
"Was I the only one who had to listen to such malicious remarks? Or was Charlote hearing them to her face as well?"
"I doubt they would say such things directly to the Aub's own child. It is precisely because Lady Rozemyne is an adoptive daughter and they believe she is being mistreated as the rumors suggest that they speak to her that way, as though they are allies."
Brunhilde and Richarda both seemed agitated by today's tea party. Their faces maintained smiles, but their voices sounded slightly strained.
"…The malice was not directed solely at the Aub and Lady Charlote. On the surface, it appeared to be flattery, but there was also an intent to belittle Lady Rozemyne, who is called the Saint."
"Grethe?"
"They said things like, even though she is praised as the Saint of Ehrenfest, she was raised in the Temple and receives different treatment from the Aub compared to his own children, yet she still loyally protects him and devotes her Magic Power to the territory—how admirable."
I thought that was taking things a bit too far, but the fact that Grethe, who rarely spoke up, had made a point of saying something meant I should consider the possibility that this was indeed how we were being perceived.
"I believe there is a high likelihood that people see you as a meek, frail Saint who is completely under the control of your guardian. Please be aware of the danger that Lady Rozemyne could be abducted or threatened."
"Understood."
The one who answered was not me, but
Following the debriefing, we shared information about what was being said at tea parties where the Aub's own children were absent, and to clarify how different territories were thinking, we were instructed that I and Charlote should attend future tea parties separately.
To flush out the territories that brought up malicious rumors, and to keep saying, "Everyone is so kind. But the Aub of Ehrenfest is nothing like that"—it put me in a thoroughly gloomy mood.
Venting the irritation of tea parties through reading, only to have to attend yet more irritating tea parties—I would have been far better off back at Ehrenfest for the Deduction Ceremony.
…Uuugh, this year more than ever, I wanted to go back to the Temple in Ehrenfest.
And now, the cousins' tea party hosted by Dieterlinde was about to take place. I didn't want to go but had to, and in my current sour mood, I wondered whether I could truly congratulate Ferdinand and Dieterlinde on their engagement. I had to be careful not to blurt out, "Please give back our precious brain."
"
"We don't know the extent to which they have information about the purge either, so it would be better to keep our own information under wraps as well."
What information to share and what to keep secret—Wilfried and Charlote joined the meeting to discuss it all. No matter how irritated I was, I had to keep it off my face. Ferdinand's treatment might change depending on how this went, so I needed to keep things smooth.
Etching that into my mind, I headed to the Ahrensbach tea room together with Wilfried and Charlote.
"Greetings, everyone."
"Greetings, Lady Dieterlinde. We are delighted by your invitation."
Wilfried offered the greeting on our behalf, and we were ushered to our seats. Dieterlinde was in extremely good spirits. Seeing the items her Attendants had brought in, she smiled and asked, "Could that be the hair ornament?"
"Today I shall have my musicians play a new Ahrensbach composition. It is a love song composed by Lord Ferdinand for me, dedicated to
Hohoho, she laughed as she lightly brushed back her luxurious golden hair and turned her gaze toward the musician. The musician gave a single nod and began to play. It was the same nostalgic song I had heard during the practical music examination.
"I heard this during the music practical exam."
"Yes. I had students who are skilled in music practice it so that word would spread that this was Ahrensbach's new piece. Lord Ferdinand presented it at the banquet that kicked off the winter social season, so there was very little time and it was quite hectic."
Dieterlinde said this proudly, took a sip of tea, and ate a sweet. When I offered a sweet I had brought and took a bite to encourage her to try it, she smiled cheerfully and said, "I wonder if Lord Ferdinand's personal chef will come to Ahrensbach after the Star Binding is finished?"
…After the Star Binding, he'll bring his personal chef? I don't think that was part of any agreement.
Ferdinand's personal chef was being used as-is by
"When the engagement to Lord Ferdinand was first decided, I was rather despondent, but recently I have begun to think about it more positively."
"…You were despondent?"
"Yes, naturally. I am the next Aub of Ahrensbach. And yet, the spouse my father chose for me was considerably older, from the lower-ranked Ehrenfest, had been placed in the Temple with a motherless upbringing, and was not even the head candidate. Wouldn't you be disappointed?"
Before I could even bristle, I was simply stunned. To me, Ferdinand was the consistently top-performing head candidate—a multi-talented mad scientist equally skilled as a civil official, a knight, and a regent—but to nobles who didn't know the extent of his work in Ehrenfest and hadn't overlapped with him at the Noble Academy, he apparently looked like a truly terrible match.
…So from an outside perspective, that's how Ferdinand appears.
"After actually meeting him, I was somewhat relieved by his kind personality and his excellence. Lord Ferdinand said he would devote himself to me."
…His kind personality is probably a misunderstanding born from his social smile, isn't it? No, it's probably better to let the misunderstanding stand, but you kind of want to tell her she's being deceived.
Since she seemed to have become positive about the marriage upon learning of Ferdinand's competence, I suppressed my inner voice and began emphasizing Ferdinand's qualities.
"Lord Ferdinand is extraordinarily talented. There are many legends about him at the Noble Academy as well. For example…"
"Oh, I know. I had information gathered, and I was surprised by what a remarkable person he is. With someone like that as my spouse, I should have no problems."
That phrasing stung a little.
…Ferdinand is amazing, you know! If anyone should be questioned about being worthy to stand beside a spouse, it's you, Lady Dieterlinde!
I swallowed those words hard. Patience was mandatory today.
Charlote seemed to notice that I had choked back my words and forced a smile. She leaned forward slightly and changed the subject.
"Since the engagement left you feeling despondent, Lady Dieterlinde, does that mean you had someone else in your heart? There was a similar story in the new Noble Academy romance novel. If Lady Dieterlinde has a lovely tale of love, I would love to hear it."
At Charlote's words, Dieterlinde blinked several times, then lowered her deep green eyes with a sorrowful expression.
"Yes, of course. There was a gentleman who offered me his devotion, but as the next Aub, I was already destined to marry whomever my father chose. No matter how wonderful he was, no matter how deep his feelings, I could not marry someone who was not an equal match. Even knowing that, it was extremely painful to be the one to say farewell. We had already decided to part ways, and yet I cursed Lieseblest, the Goddess of Binding Affection, for the cruel twist of fate."
Her gaze slightly distant, Dieterlinde spoke as if thinking of her beloved. She said the farewell had occurred in the summer, so it seemed the person was not a student at the Noble Academy but a noble from Ahrensbach.
…So the engagement to Ferdinand was painful for Dieterlinde too.
At the Noble Academy, there hadn't been any rumors of Dieterlinde being romantically involved, and she hadn't seemed to have an escort, so I had assumed the engagement to Ferdinand was something she welcomed. But that apparently wasn't the case.
Learning that for those directly involved, it was an unwelcome engagement, I quietly sighed at the reality that things so rarely go as one wishes.
Invitations arriving one after another.
Attending to find conversations that made your smile feel tight.
This was the beginning of an increasingly irritating social season.
And so began Dieterlinde's tea party, by Dieterlinde, for Dieterlinde.
Next is Part 2.