Brünhilde's Proposal

The room fell deathly silent at Brünhilde's words. Everyone present stared wide-eyed, their gazes fixed on her kneeling figure. Her out-of-the-blue declaration short-circuited my brain.

...The Aub's second wife? Who with whom? Brünhilde with my foster father!?

The moment the scattered words floating through my blank mind connected, a fresh wave of chaos crashed over me. I shot up from my chair and took a step toward Brünhilde.

"W-Wait!? Hold on, hold on! Brünhilde, calm down and take a deep breath. Get a hold of yourself—"

"The one who needs to calm down and take a deep breath is you."

My foster father rose to his feet with an exasperated look, circled the table, and came to stand beside me. He gave my shoulder a light pat. "Come on, take a deep breath."

"Hh-hh-hoo... Hh-hh-hoo..."

"What on earth is that?"

"It just came out of my mouth on its own. ...What exactly am I saying?"

"I'm afraid I haven't the slightest idea. Calm down."

I looked back and forth between my foster father, who seemed completely unfazed by Brünhilde's bombshell, and my grandfather, who was standing there looking utterly bewildered.

"G-Grandfather, I don't know how to calm down!"

"I know exactly how you feel, Rozemyne."

While the two of us flustered about, Lieseleta stepped forward quietly, saying "Pardon me," and smoothly pulled out a Schumil stuffed toy.

"Don't be ridiculous, you fool. Breathe."

Ferdinand's voice jolted me back to my senses. Reflexively, I sucked in a breath. I inhaled deeply. He hadn't told me to breathe out, so I inhaled even more, filling my lungs until I couldn't take in another drop. When it became unbearable, I let it all out in a whoosh.

"Just how much air were you planning to make me inhale, Ferdinand!?"

I glared teary-eyed at the Schumil toy, and Lieseleta gave a warm smile.

"I'm glad Lady Rozemyne has remembered how to take a proper deep breath. Now, please remember how a lady should carry herself."

Still cradling the Schumil, Lieseleta activated the Magical Tool. Hearing Ferdinand's voice emanating from the adorable toy—"You call yourself a lord candidate? How pathetic"—I slunk back into my seat and sat up straight.

"I'm fine. I've calmed down. Let's continue."

"Hmm. The shock was effective. Well done. You may withdraw."

"Thank you."

Foster Father commended Lieseleta for her quick thinking and returned to his seat, then shifted his gaze from me to Brünhilde.

"Judging from Rozemyne's reaction, it's quite clear you haven't consulted the Aub at all."

"That's correct. I haven't consulted Lady Rozemyne, nor have I spoken to my father. Lady Florence and the other lord candidates are also unaware."

Brünhilde spoke calmly. Foster Father's eyebrow twitched, but he let her continue.

"Even if Lady Rozemyne herself isn't fully conscious of it, she is in a position that can sway the Leisegang faction. My father, as Giebe Grausam, also holds considerable influence among Leisegang nobles. If discussions were to proceed and a formal proposal for me to become the Aub's second wife were to reach him, the current Aub would find it very difficult to refuse. That is why I had to act on my own accord—treating this as a jest made in the heat of the moment so the Aub could pretend he never heard it."

She wanted to frame it as having nothing to do with the Leisegang nobles' collective wishes, Brünhilde explained.

"Furthermore, I believe the Aub should choose a second wife for himself based on what Ehrenfest needs, rather than having one imposed on him by those around him. I understand that Lady Rozemyne and Lord Wilfried's engagement was determined by the Aub for the good of the territory. If so, then should the need arise, he should be willing to take a second wife as well."

Foster Father lowered his gaze, as though conceding to those unwavering amber eyes. Then, slowly, he turned his deep green eyes toward Brünhilde.

"I'll listen."

"Thank you for hearing me."

Still kneeling, Brünhilde began her explanation with a composed demeanor.

"I didn't realize it myself until I spoke with Lady Charlotte and began actively gathering Leisegang intelligence, but the faction has grown deeply alarmed by the ruling family's tendency to prioritize marriages with upper territories over forging ties with nobles within the domain following the purge. There are mounting doubts about whether Lady Rozemyne can truly become the first wife through her marriage to Lord Wilfried."

From this situation, calls to "make Lady Rozemyne, not Lord Wilfried, the next Aub" had resurfaced; the sentiment that "a first wife from an upper territory isn't necessary" had grown stronger; and arguments had emerged that "if we must take a wife from an upper territory, there's no need to raise our ranking."

"The Leisegang faction has always strengthened its bond with the Aub through marriage. If the Aub simply announced he would take a second wife from Leisegang and showed that he respects them, most of their anxiety would dissipate."

...She'd been gathering all that intelligence since her information exchange with Charlotte. Our attendants are seriously capable.

It wasn't just Hartmut who had exceptional information-gathering skills. Then again, perhaps it was simply easier to obtain intelligence about the Leisegang faction when it was your own people.

"The matter of a second wife greatly concerns the territory's future, and I am well aware that ordinarily, thorough groundwork would be required before raising such a topic with the Aub. I hadn't intended to bring it up in this manner, but I simply couldn't stand by any longer. I judged this to be a time-sensitive situation and acted accordingly."

Brünhilde cast a sympathetic glance toward Foster Father and the attendants surrounding him. I tilted my head, not quite understanding the meaning behind that expression.

"What do you mean, time-sensitive?"

"...The Aub has most likely punished the vast majority of his own attendants as a result of the purge. He can't even come to the northern wing without sharing attendants with Lady Florence. In such a state, wouldn't this affect not only the Aub's duties but Lady Florence's work as well?"

"What!?"

Having no memory of any of Foster Father's attendants' faces, I stared in surprise and looked around at the people near him.

"At the meeting of the ruling family, with full knowledge of each lord candidate's workload, you requested Lady Rozemyne's assistance rather than Lady Charlotte's. Beyond the reason of your pregnancy, was it because you needed Lady Rozemyne to fill the gap? That is what I concluded, at least."

If I assisted my foster mother, it would make it easier for Leisegang nobles to be brought in. Brünhilde pointed out that this was likely because Foster Father had needed Leisegang's cooperation.

Foster Father merely lifted the corner of his lips without answering. But since he didn't deny it, Brünhilde's assessment was presumably correct.

"Given the current situation where Lord Bonifatius has been asked to handle Leisegang intelligence, I believe the Aub needs Leisegang's support urgently. However, considering Lady Florence's circumstances, it would be difficult to welcome a second wife for approximately two years."

...Wow, this really is a complete deadlock.

"However, as you can see, I am still a minor. If a one-year engagement period is set after I graduate from the Royal Academy, the Star Binding Ceremony would be at least two years away. By then, the window during which Lady Florence's pregnancy and childbirth would be affected would have passed."

Brünhilde's amber eyes burned with a fierce light.

"If the Aub announces he will take a second wife from Leisegang, most of the faction will be able to move forward as before and put their anxieties to rest. The significance of marrying the daughter of Grausam—Veronica's homeland and the faction that was most fiercely opposed—is, I believe, far greater for Leisegang than the Aub may realize."

Having said this, Brünhilde smiled. "And with a fiancée in place, it would also become much easier to refuse marriage proposals from other territories at lord meetings." She could say this precisely because she knew that as one of my attendants, I was deeply troubled by the prospect of marriages with other territories and was hardly enthusiastic about it.

"Even if Lady Rozemyne is confined to the Temple, as her Attendant I would spend the majority of my time in the castle, which means I could stand at the forefront of negotiations with Leisegang. Moreover, since I originally belong to the same faction as Lady Florence, I can provide support without creating conflict. Working together with Lady Charlotte, I can fill the void left by Lady Florence."

Brünhilde declared with her chest held high, "I've been doing exactly that—socializing alongside Lady Charlotte—at the Royal Academy."

"The preparation and hosting of tea parties and meetings with royalty and upper-territory nobles at the Royal Academy—that was my domain. I take pride in the fact that I have more experience socializing with upper territories than most within Ehrenfest. As the Aub's fiancée, I believe I could, while cooperating with Lady Charlotte, also take on the education of the Attendants."

It was difficult for the adopted daughter of an archduke to give orders to the Attendants of the Aub and his wife, among other adults. But as a second wife supporting the first wife, it would become possible. She could pass on her experience and more easily cultivate Attendants who could handle interactions with upper territories.

"While filling Lady Florence's role in this manner, if we also push forward with the generational transition that Lady Rozemyne has proposed as quickly as possible, it should become less difficult to bring members of the former Veronica faction into positions of responsibility. And as more former Veronica faction members are appointed, I believe we'll also be able to bring back the Attendants whom we had no choice but to distance ourselves from."

At Brünhilde's words, Foster Father narrowed his eyes slightly. He studied her for a long moment before speaking.

"I can see that you observe your surroundings far more carefully and think far more deeply than I had anticipated. But to willingly become a second wife..."

"That's exactly right! Brünhilde is brilliant, perceptive, and capable—there's no way she should have to become Foster Father's second wife! She's even more impressive than you!"

I could hear people around us desperately trying to suppress their laughter. "Hey, Rozemyne," Foster Father said, his mouth twitching. But it was the truth.

"After all, you have Foster Mother! You're always saying you love her more than anyone, that no other woman compares, and that you'd never want a second wife. I can't see any future where Brünhilde would be happy marrying a man like that. I don't want it."

I insisted that if she was going to get married, she should marry someone who would treat her with more affection, and Brünhilde's eyes went wide.

"Then may I ask, why did Lady Rozemyne agree to the engagement with Lord Wilfried? Did you believe Lord Wilfried would treat you with affection?"

"No. I wanted unrestricted access to Ehrenfest's Library and the Temple Library, and I thought it was ideal for advancing the printing industry."

"So love has nothing to do with marriage."

...Ah! That's right—my love isn't directed at anything other than books!

I needed better words—not to let slip my true feelings, but as someone already engaged who should be offering more polished advice. Desperately searching for a way to patch up my blunder, I tried again.

"A-Ah—but, unlike with Brünhilde and Foster Father, Brother Wilfried and I have a gentle familial bond, a comfortable relationship like the one we've always had. That relationship will continue, and since we've made promises to both Ferdinand and Giebe Leisegang, I don't think you'll be mistreated. You'll be fine."

Brünhilde wore an extremely complicated expression at my desperately squeezed-out words, and Foster Father scowled.

"Rozemyne, do I really seem so foolish to you that I would take Giebe Grausam's daughter as my second wife only to mistreat her?"

"Eh? Well, I was thinking you'd do your best as the Aub... in your own way."

"What does 'in your own way' mean? Come here."

Foster Father poked my cheeks with a sour expression. It actually stung, and when I cried out "Grandfather, please help me!" he immediately swatted Foster Father's hand away with a huff.

"Ow!? Watch it!"

"Foster Father... That sounded quite painful. Do you need healing?"

"No, I'm fine. More importantly, your Attendant appears to have accepted everything and is requesting to become the second wife. Are you going to take a stance of opposition?"

When asked whether I would stand against Brünhilde's determination, I turned to look at her. Brünhilde smiled a beautiful, radiant smile.

"Lady Rozemyne, I became your Attendant because I wanted to set trends, and I'm happy that wish came true. Now, as the second wife, I hope to continue setting trends through Lady Florence and Lady Rozemyne. And I want to challenge myself to create new trends as a member of the ruling family."

Brünhilde's hopeful expression was not that of someone being sacrificed to keep the Leisegang nobles in check. It was the face of a true opportunist who had found a golden opportunity and intended to wring every last drop of benefit from it.

...Brünhilde is way too cool.

"If I become the second wife, I can take over Lady Rozemyne's social responsibilities. There would be no need for Lady Rozemyne to learn all the traditional social protocols. I want to prepare the domain so that when Lord Wilfried and Lady Rozemyne rule together as the Aub and his wife, everything will run smoothly."

"She's the model of what an Attendant should be. I'm pleased by that spirit. I acknowledge her as Sylvester's second wife."

...Grandfather approved? Wait, what?

Paying no attention to my blinking confusion, Grandfather cheerfully sat back down and began sipping his tea in a leisurely manner. Brünhilde stared intently at me, waiting for my answer—whether I would agree or object.

"I think Brünhilde's determination is the best possible outcome for Ehrenfest. But... I don't want Brünhilde to resign as my Attendant."

At my words, Brünhilde smiled softly.

"Please let me remain as your Attendant until I graduate from the Royal Academy. After that, resigning due to marriage would have been expected, wouldn't it?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"I'll make sure to train Bertilde and Gretia thoroughly so that Lady Rozemyne won't be inconvenienced. Please rest assured."

Women were expected to leave upon marriage, so I'd been told to train new Attendants or recruit women who had finished raising their children. I looked around at my Attendants of marriageable age and felt a pang of loneliness.

Foster Father, who had been watching our exchange, let out a slow breath before speaking.

"Brünhilde, if you were originally planning to take a husband, what would Grausam do about a successor?"

"I have a younger sister. Rather than me taking a husband now as I am, it would benefit Grausam far more if I first became the second wife and developed the territory into a proper trading city, then arranged for Bertilde to marry a capable husband. ...And since it appears the second wife may produce a son, I'm also considering passing the title to him."

It seemed Brünhilde had originally planned to welcome a capable man from another territory to help support Grausam. However, finding a husband would be difficult if Entwicken didn't succeed first. Few capable people would come to a project whose outcome was uncertain.

Especially now, with the Entwicken timeline disrupted by Foster Mother's pregnancy and plans having to be redrawn, Brünhilde apparently believed it was more important to devote herself to Entwicken's success as the second wife than to pursue a marriage.

If the Aub announced he would personally lead the city's development, Giebe Grausam might push back with "Are you going to sideline us?" But if Brünhilde served as intermediary, things would move much more smoothly.

"I have my own reasons and calculations. I do not seek the position of second wife to gain the Aub's favor—I seek it to make maximum use of my abilities as part of the team supporting Ehrenfest."

Brünhilde's presentation was complete.

With a confident expression, she said, "Please feel free to dismiss this as the idle ramblings of a young girl. That is precisely why I acted on my own."

Foster Father let out a short laugh and rose to his feet. He walked over to Brünhilde and extended his hand.

"I accept your resolve. I will request an audience with Giebe Grausam. Prepare an outfit and magic stones worthy of appearing on stage at the Spring Celebration banquet."

"Thank you."

Brünhilde smiled the smile of a victor and took his hand. Her deep crimson hair slid gracefully down her back.

...Ugh, so Brünhilde is going to become Foster Father's second wife.

Brünhilde wanted this herself, and I knew it was the best outcome for Ehrenfest. But it was still hard to wholeheartedly celebrate. The concept of a "second wife" just didn't sit right with me. Hearing about it in stories, I could think "well, that's just how their culture works" and not feel too resistant. But when it was someone close to me becoming one, it left me feeling oddly conflicted.

...Especially since there's already a deeply beloved first wife.

In a world where having your father choose your marriage partner was simply the way things worked, Brünhilde had won exactly the marriage she wanted—so in that respect, it was a major victory for her.

"...Hmm? An Ordonnanz?"

Grandfather, who had been munching on sweets, muttered this while staring out the window. Everyone turned toward the window at once, but there was no sign of the Ordonnanz.

"Grandfather, where is it?"

"...It should be visible any moment now."

Sure enough, about ten seconds later, the shape of the Ordonnanz began to appear. While I was still marveling at his incredible eyesight, the Ordonnanz flew into the room and landed on Father's arm.

"Report from Knight Commander Gerlach."

Everyone's expression changed at once as they stared at the Ordonnanz. The knight order, along with Matthias and the others, should have been heading to Gerlach for their investigation. What had happened?

"While verifying the hidden chambers, the son of Giebe Gerlach raised the possibility that the Giebe may still be alive. Please come to the site immediately."

The first to stand was Grandfather. He exchanged a look with Foster Father, and they nodded to each other.

"I'll leave Karstedt here. I'll focus on bringing the Leisegang into the fold."

"Mm. I won't fail this time. I'll bring something back."

With those words, Grandfather swept out of the room with his attendants in tow.

"Foster Father, what about Matthias and the others..."

"Bonifatius will assist them. Karstedt, let's go."

Father looked ready to dash out at any moment, clenching his fist as he nodded at Foster Father's words. Foster Father looked down at me and tapped my forehead.

"Rozemyne, it's your own Attendants out there. I know you're anxious, but Ferdinand, who watched over you from start to finish, is no longer here. Remember that there is no one who can immediately shield you if you do something reckless."

"...Yes."

With the parting warning that we'd both pay the price if we kept acting the same way as always, Foster Father hurried out of the room.

Following Hartmut, it's now Brünhilde's time to shine.

She leveraged her position as a Leisegang daughter to the fullest and got exactly what she wanted.

Next up: the Spring Celebration banquet.