Meeting with the Aub

I had Richarda arrange a meeting request with my adoptive father, and then I exchanged information with Charlotte, who should have been questioning her retainers in her own room, about the consensus of the Leisegang family. Since many of my retainers were Leisegang-affiliated nobles, Charlotte apparently had fewer Leisegang-affiliated nobles among her retainers, so she didn't have much information regarding the Leisegang consensus.

However, the retainers brought over from the count by my adoptive mother's family connections provided ample information, and word had apparently come in that Wilfried's life was being targeted by extremist nobles. If Wilfried were to be removed, making me the next Aub would become easy.

When I shared the information that my adoptive father and Wilfried were carrying out secret tasks from the Leisegang family, Charlotte's face became deeply worried as she asked, "Is there a possibility we are being deceived by the Leisegang family?"

...Given that there's also information about his life being targeted, it's clearly suspicious, right?

"I think there are probably conditions or pressures being applied that make it impossible to refuse. So I don't believe the words spoken at the meeting reflect everyone's true feelings."

"It is frustrating that we are kept in the dark like this."

Charlotte, who seemed to feel like she was being left out of the loop, murmured, "Is it because we are unreliable?"

"Charlotte, you are very reliable. Besides, perhaps the information is being hidden because they are desperately trying to protect us during these unstable times?"

"Sister?"

"If I weren't here to be propped up as a banner for the Leisegang family, there would be no need to bow to their demands and drop in rank. I believe that right now, my adoptive father is protecting me."

Information about Wilfried being in danger was flowing in from my adoptive mother's retainers. My adoptive father must know about it too. Killing me, a former commoner, would be the quickest solution, but he wasn't doing that and was instead accepting the Leisegang family's tasks.

"So I intend to support my adoptive father with everything I have. Charlotte, please cooperate as well."

I told Charlotte about my plan to build new factions for my adoptive father and Wilfried, centering on the young retainers who had motivation.

"I'm only making the proposal, but if we can successfully draw them in, don't you think we could solidify my adoptive father's position?"

"I think a generational shift would be effective, but... it will take time for the young people who gather together to start acting as Father's faction, and I don't think it's enough to restrain the Leisegang family."

Charlotte's expression was calm as she delivered her assessment: "It's a good strategy to improve the current chaotic situation, but it's still weak."

"Furthermore, it's not just the elderly who would be confused or feel resistance to rapid change. Within the aristocratic academy dormitory, the children of the former Veronica faction complained about whether they would be treated the same as us, and the higher-ranking nobles pushed back against your proposal about them earning money for themselves, didn't they?"

My words about how they should try earning money on their own if they wanted to learn about magic compression were well-received by the middle and lower-ranking nobles, but they apparently drew resistance from the higher-ranking nobles who had never earned money before, and Charlotte had heard about this from her own retainers.

"While the higher-ranking nobles among your sister's retainers took the lead and set an example, which reduced the resistance, I think it's important to set examples for adapting to rapid change, and also to extend a hand to those who are confused as much as possible."

Impressed by Charlotte's perspective—so characteristic of someone skilled at coordinating opinions—I asked what she thought should be done to make everyone accept these changes.

"Probably the best thing would be for Father to take a second wife from the Leisegang family."

"Why is that?"

"Hasn't the Leisegang family always stabilized their power by doing that? So if we were to welcome a woman who is flexible and able to adapt to change from among the Leisegang-affiliated nobles as the second wife, we could reassure the Leisegang family by showing things are the same as before while buying time to push forward with the generational shift. Wouldn't that be the most peaceful way to settle things?"

As Charlotte said this, her gaze dropped slightly.

"But since Mother is expecting a baby, the simplest option is no longer available."

For about a year after the birth, considering the effect of magic on the baby, my adoptive father couldn't take a second wife. Yet a second wife was needed to improve the current situation, but waiting two years would be too late.

"Unlike you, Sister, I'm bound by the aristocratic common sense I've been taught all along, and I can't come up with flexible ideas. So the only methods I can think of to improve Ehrenfest's current situation are the conventional ones."

Charlotte said this with a self-deprecating smile, then looked up. And then, she gave a small grin.

"I will also help so that Father and my brother can establish their own new factions."

I also spoke with Melchior's retainers, but they only knew information I already had. It seemed I had the most Leisegang-related information. The biggest concern for Melchior's retainers was apparently the Temple—they asked all sorts of questions, and I relayed that I would meet with the Aub to discuss the budget and permissions for furniture use.

My conversation with Wilfried's retainers barely got anywhere. It wasn't an exchange of information—they just kept insisting, "Lord Wilfried is working hard on his own right now, so please cooperate with him as his betrothed." For now, I told them that I would propose creating a faction for him to my adoptive father, and added, "I'll be confined to the Temple, so please do your best together with my adoptive father."

The next day, Matthias and the others departed with the knights to investigate the Giebe's summer villa. If they wanted to return before the Spring Prayer festival, there was truly no time to spare.

Father wasn't accompanying them since he was assigned to my adoptive father's guard duty, but as he had promised me, when he came to see them off, he reminded them, "They are retainers who have pledged themselves to the Lord's family. Restrain yourselves from any rough treatment."

Despite being told to stay confined in the northern building, the day of my meeting with my adoptive father arrived amid a flurry of activity. Since I couldn't leave the northern building and the knight order had been reduced, my adoptive father agreed to come to this location with the magical barrier.

"Bonifatius would also like to attend. Is that alright?"

I had intended to have a secret conversation with my adoptive father, but my grandfather ended up coming along as well. Perhaps the Leisegang surveillance was still ongoing.

...Grandfather is also part of the Lord's family, so having him join our side would be best.

There was absolutely no need to be hostile toward Grandfather. He had apparently gone along with the Leisegang proposal, but that was born out of concern about rescuing me from the Temple—he shouldn't be part of a faction dedicated to making me the next Aub no matter what.

"Since Ferdinand is absent, I need to handle the administrative duties. I will be present for the discussion with Rozemyn."

When he asked if there was anything I was hiding, I smiled, nodded, and invited my adoptive father and grandfather to take their seats.

"It must be hard for you, Grandfather, having to help with my adoptive father's work in place of Ferdinand. Of course, you're welcome to be present. I won't say anything that would put me in a difficult position if you heard it, and when there are things I don't want my retainers to hear, I'll use magical tools to prevent eavesdropping."

I looked at my adoptive father and grandfather seated across from me. Father was standing behind my adoptive father as usual. It felt strange having Grandfather here instead of Ferdinand.

...Grandfather has broader shoulders and more muscle than Ferdinand, so there's this sense of pressure. And somehow, the chair looks like it's a tight fit for him.

After I ate a bite of tea and sweets for the poisoning test and then offered them, Grandfather happily began eating the sweets, saying, "It's been about a year since I last had tea with you like this, hasn't it?" I remembered how during the Lord's Conference, he had helped with the work and enjoyed tea breaks together. For me, having tea was easier than walking hand in hand, since it posed no physical danger.

"At this year's Lord's Conference, there will be royal family members to assist, so we won't be able to spend it like last year. ...If you would come to the Temple, Grandfather, we could have tea together."

I invited him to come to the Temple so we could have tea together, but Grandfather murmured, "...The Temple?" and made a troubled face. He apparently had quite a strong aversion to the Temple.

"In addition to my retainers, Melchior's retainers will also be coming and going frequently. I think it's different from the Temple you remember from the old days, so I won't insist, but please do visit at least once. I'll welcome you with delicious sweets, and I'm sure Angelica will be pleased too."

He still had a troubled expression, but Grandfather said he would "think about it." I thought it would be good if we could gradually reform perceptions and build bridges.

"Adoptive father, first regarding Melchior's entry into the Temple..."

I began by explaining the reason for the meeting request. I described the preparations necessary for Melchior to enter the Temple and asked that he allocate the necessary budget.

"To ensure Melchior can move in and out of the Temple without difficulty, please grant permission to use furniture from the castle for the items that will be needed immediately. Also, please release one cook from the castle. For an assistant, you can either appoint a gray shrine maiden or someone willing to take on training at the Italian restaurant."

"...Training a cook in Melchior's kitchen?"

Grandfather's blue eyes went wide, as the concept of training a cook from scratch was apparently foreign to him—he took it as a given that you would use already-trained cooks. But my adoptive father nodded casually, saying, "Rozemyn's kitchen is the same way," and readily accepted.

"The Italian restaurant is a place that visiting merchants from other territories want to visit at least once. So if Gresschel, post-Entwickelung, is also going to open an Italian restaurant, the cook training needs to begin now to be ready in time."

Of course, I intended to take on cook training in my own kitchen as well. Ella had recently said she wanted to have a child, so I thought this would be a good time to give her time off.

"Also, I heard from Charlotte that the children in the children's room were somewhat neglected during the winter."

"That's not true. They were properly fed, there was an attendant assigned to the children's room, and parents could visit if they came."

My adoptive father immediately objected, but I shook my head.

"I heard that with the teachers going to the northern building where Melchior was, the children's room was left almost entirely neglected compared to previous years. Since no parents are hiring private tutors for their children, if this continues going forward, their education will be extremely uncertain."

Standing next to my grandfather, who was blinking in confusion, my adoptive father prompted me forward with a casual "And then?"

"I would like to take them in at the Temple as blue priest apprentices or blue shrine maiden apprentices."

"What did you say?"

"I want to move them to the Temple to provide magic replenishment, to give them education, and to protect them, even a little, from the malice of loose-lipped nobles. Of course, the costs would be covered by their parents."

Taking them in as blue priests wouldn't be free of charge, but it shouldn't be entirely bad for them either.

"Rozemyn, why are you so devoted to the children of criminals?"

Grandfather asked with an expression of bewilderment.

"Grandfather, they themselves have committed no crime. It's wrong to punish even the innocent. Besides, Ehrenfest is already short on nobles as it is. There's no need to deliberately waste precious human resources, is there? We should save them, raise them, and have them work for Ehrenfest's benefit."

When I said that crushing them was easy but raising them was hard, Grandfather made a complicated, indescribable face.

"Is this a calculation?"

"Yes, a calculation as a member of the Lord's family. No matter what those around me say, I am not a Saint or anything of the sort, and I don't believe I can save everyone without limit for free. It's precisely because I believe it would benefit Ehrenfest that I advocated for abolishing collective punishment and providing education to the children."

"By accepting them as blue priest apprentices, it would reduce one of the adoptive mother's tasks, so it should help Charlotte a little as well. Would that be a problem?"

"I have no objection... but what would the Leisegang family say?"

My adoptive father gave Grandfather a thoroughly bothered look. For my adoptive father, Grandfather seemed to serve as the liaison with the Leisegang family. I couldn't understand why he needed their approval when they weren't going to take everyone in and look after them themselves.

"I hear you've been subjected to all sorts of unreasonable demands in order to gain the Leisegang family's support and cooperation. Thank you so much for accepting all the troublesome matters caused by my existence."

"Rozemyn, how did you—?"

Grandfather reacted even more intensely than my adoptive father. After glancing at my adoptive father, he turned his gaze to Father. Judging from Father waving his hand as if to say "that's not it," Grandfather had probably cut off all contact between me and my adoptive father and was also keeping a close watch on my father's and mother's movements.

"Because Father's words and actions were inconsistent between before and during that meeting, it was clear that something had happened once you calmed down and thought about it. So I gathered information from the Leisegang-affiliated retainers. I don't know the details, but you and Wilfried have both been given some sort of task, haven't you?"

At my words, my adoptive father's expression changed, saying "What?" His face hardened and he glared at Grandfather.

"The agreement was that if I accepted the conditions, you wouldn't touch the children, Bonifatius!"

"...I didn't know about that either."

Grandfather's face turned bitter as well. It seemed that information was lacking on both sides.

"The Leisegang family apparently had a plan to create a rift in the Lord's family, so this was probably part of that. It would be fine if Wilfried's task was genuinely to become the next Aub, but Charlotte was worried that it might be that he was simply being used by the Leisegang family to install me as the next Aub."

"What an outrage."

My adoptive father's face went pale. Grandfather's complexion was also poor. The information they had about the Leisegang family apparently contradicted what was coming out.

"Rozemyn, didn't you tell Wilfried about the danger of the task?"

"Among the tasks, there might be one requiring me to behave as the first wife. I was only told to cooperate as his betrothed. The Leisegang family supports me, so I'm probably considered a potential enemy."

I thought it couldn't be helped, but Grandfather grew angry, saying, "To treat Rozemyn as an enemy despite being her betrothed!" Seeing his reaction, I raised my eyebrows slightly.

"Oh my? But for Grandfather, who was instructed by the Leisegang family to watch my adoptive father's and my movements, we're essentially enemies too, aren't we? You've been making scary faces ever since you returned from the aristocratic academy."

"Th-that's not true! Scary? It's not scary, is it?"

Grandfather panicked and pressed his own face. Seeing this, my adoptive father burst out laughing as if the tension had been released. The atmosphere relaxed instantly, and I found myself smiling along.

"You don't scare me anymore. Grandfather was just worried about me, and you're on my side, aren't you?"

"Of course."

"Then, my adoptive father isn't bullying me either, so please don't make such frightening faces."

"Mm, yes."

After smiling at Grandfather, who nodded with a solemn expression, I turned my gaze to my adoptive father.

"I only heard it from Hartmut, so I don't know if it's true. I was told not to stick my nose in during meetings, and I thought it might be unsolicited advice, but..."

"It's not unsolicited. It's been a help. With Ferdinand gone, information is sorely lacking."

My adoptive father tightened his expression as he shook his head. Apparently, up until now, Ferdinand had been vetting information from Justus and delivering it, and had also been providing guidance to some extent on how to maneuver. With him gone, my adoptive father was genuinely struggling.

"Hartmut did well to obtain that much information."

"He studied under Justus at the Temple. He doesn't yet have the comprehensive coverage that Justus has, but if it's information about the Leisegang family, I can help."

As I was telling my adoptive father that I would share information with him, Grandfather looked at me with a serious expression.

"Rozemyn, why do you trust Sylvester that much? Don't you think it's possible that Sylvester is deceiving you?"

"If he were truly terrible, he would kill me to avoid the Leisegang family's trouble. And even though dissolving the adoption would make me a higher-ranking noble and completely remove me from consideration as the next Aub, my adoptive father is shouldering tasks and struggling to gain the Leisegang family's support."

With Ferdinand gone, if I left the Lord's family, magic power would be overwhelmingly insufficient, so I didn't think they could easily kill me or dissolve the adoption. But it's not like there was no way to remove me from the list of candidates for next Aub.

"My adoptive father makes excuses to escape, complains in an annoyed way, and as Charlotte pointed out, he even made the blunder of getting my adoptive mother pregnant during a critical time. But in the important moments, he has properly protected me. So I'll at least cooperate."

"...Rozemyn."

"Rather, isn't the Leisegang family, which claims to be my backing but sows discord throughout Ehrenfest, the far more troublesome party?"

As I said this, I brought up the real topic of the day—the plan for a generational shift to shatter the Leisegang consensus.

"It's natural that there are those who resist rapid change, but for Ehrenfest to adopt behavior befitting a top-tier territory is also an instruction from the Zent."

It's essentially a royal decree, right? When I said that, my adoptive father grinned and nodded, "Well, that's true," while prompting me to continue.

"So what about dividing up the roles within the territory?"

"Dividing up roles?"

"Yes, Grandfather. The work of governing rural areas and such as a Giebe doesn't change that much. So I propose assigning the vacant Giebe positions opened up by this purge to the more conservative individuals. Giebe Gerlach and Giebe Virtor had pledged themselves to Georgine and plunged Ehrenfest into chaos, but there was no problem with their governing skills. Their harvests were good as well."

Having returned from the Harvest Festival and reported to the Aub, I also knew the harvest yields from various regions. There had been no problem with their management skills.

"So for the new Giebe appointments, I would have them follow their methods exactly. To avoid confusing the farmers and common laborers, we should do our utmost to let them continue working in the same environment. I think it would be best to send someone who understands well that they cannot adapt to rapid change."

My adoptive father smiled with interest at my proposal.

"I see. But new work always comes with the possibility of failure. Also, it would be disastrous if they had no aptitude for Giebe work, so let's observe for about three years as a trial period before formally appointing them as Giebes. When you lord candidates head out for the dedication ritual and Harvest Festival, you can speak with the farmers and laborers, and if the governance is going well, we'll formally appoint them as Giebes after three years."

My adoptive father murmured that if a probationary period were created, they would work desperately hard to be formally hired, and wouldn't make unreasonable demands on the local people.

"And let's place those with ambition and flexibility to embrace change in important positions at the castle, regardless of faction affiliation."

"Regardless of faction affiliation!?"

Grandfather was the one who was startled by every one of my proposals. I didn't think I was saying anything that strange, but it highlighted the difference in thinking from ordinary nobles. Perhaps Ferdinand and my adoptive father, who would listen to the reasoning and accept it, were the ones who were unusual.

"The purge has already been carried out, and those who committed crimes have been punished or removed, haven't they? The old Veronica faction is essentially gone at this point, so wouldn't it be wasteful not to give work to those who are capable and motivated? Ehrenfest has no human resources to spare."

In addition to this plan, which I had discussed with my retainers in my room, I also explained the points Charlotte had raised.

"A good strategy to improve the current chaotic situation, but still weak. Charlotte has a good eye for these things."

"Yes. She also said the most peaceful and effective approach would be to take a second wife from the Leisegang family. It echoes Dunkelfelger's words about entrusting the first wife with inter-territorial socializing and the second wife with unifying the nobles within the territory."

At my words, my adoptive father's expression darkened slightly.

"May I speak, Aub Ehrenfest?"

Brunhilde stepped forward from among the retainers who had been quietly observing. Her caramel-colored eyes held a resolute determination within a tense expression. Looking at Brunhilde, who appeared to have steeled herself, my adoptive father granted permission with, "You may."

"Thank you."

Brunhilde walked slowly to the spot directly facing my adoptive father. Then she knelt and crossed both arms.

"I am Brunhilde, daughter of the Giebe of Gresschel. I have just completed my fifth year at the aristocratic academy."

"She's an attendant you recruited for her outstanding abilities, isn't she?"

My adoptive father nodded, saying he had been watching during the inter-territorial competition and the commendation ceremony, and Brunhilde nodded, saying, "I am honored by your praise." Then she looked straight at my adoptive father.

"Would you please appoint me as Aub's second wife?"

I exchanged information with Charlotte and spoke with my adoptive father.

I built bridges with my grandfather.

Next is Brunhilde's proposal.