My Adoptive Father's Return

I spent my days reviewing my Noble Studies while handling the handover of the Temple and the printing business, and checking on the orphanage children's studies. The children who had Magical Tools and were of an age to receive their Baptism Ceremonies this winter would have interviews with my adoptive father in autumn. The Aub would be confirming whether they were suitable to be taken under his guardianship and turned into nobles. For that reason, the children were frantically studying every subject they could, and apparently being careful not to let anyone find fault with their behavior. Melchior and the blue-robed apprentices who would need to head to the Harvest Festival were also working hard, not wanting to be outdone by the orphanage children's efforts.

Meanwhile, Dirk, who had obtained his own Magical Tool, was apparently using recovery potions that I had Roderich and Philine prepare as he desperately accumulated Magic Power. It was still over three years until he would head to the Noble Academy, but he needed to stockpile as much Magic Power as possible as early as he could.

As I went about these days, an ordonnance arrived from Ottilie in the castle. My adoptive father and the others, who had gone to Ahrensbach for the funeral, would apparently be returning.

"There are apparently many gifts from Lord Ferdinand. Also, he asked that we return to the castle so we could have dinner together."

I headed back to the castle with Melchior and my attendants, buzzing with excitement. I could hardly wait for the presents. Would the Magical Tool that stopped time be packed full of delicious fish?

"Welcome home."

My adoptive father climbed down from his carriage. Father, as his guard knight, was with him. Once they had descended, the attendants began unloading the cargo piled in the carriages. Behind the carriage my adoptive father had ridden in were the attendants' carriages, and behind those came carriage after carriage loaded with goods. There had been plenty of cargo when they left, but the return trip had even more.

...There's more cargo than when they left. Probably because there are more carriages.

"You certainly have an enormous amount of luggage. It's almost like the volume of goods Lord Ferdinand brought when he came as a groom, isn't it?"

After greeting my adoptive father and glancing at the long line of carriages, I made this remark, only for my adoptive father to look down at me with an utterly displeased expression.

"Whose fault do you think that is? Don't the two of you mistake me for some delivery porter or something?"

I had never actually thought of my adoptive father as a delivery porter. I had simply asked him to transport the things Ferdinand requested. In other words, there was only one culprit.

"Ah, I see. So it's Lord Ferdinand's fault. Having such a demanding younger brother must be tough for you, Father."

I thought I was being sympathetic, but for some reason I received a subtle chop hidden within his long sleeve. I couldn't understand why.

"That one apparently sent you something outrageous. The materials he had prepared weren't enough, and he was tearing his hair out over it."

"What do you mean?"

"How should I know? In any case, the last three carriages of cargo are yours. I'll tell you about what happened in Ahrensbach at dinner. Until then, check what's inside and have it put away."

As he spoke, my adoptive father waved his hand in a "go away" gesture. I compared the words "three carriages" with the actual carriages. Excluding the ones that had carried people, my adoptive father had five cargo-only carriages lined up. Three of them apparently held my belongings.

"Lady Rozemyne, we need to hurry with the inspection. We'll be late for dinner."

Ottilie called Lieseleta and Grethia, and they headed for the carriages. We were to check and sort the cargo, but just looking at the contents of the first carriage was enough to make me want to give up. There was far too much.

"These are dishes and pots that have been used. Since they've been cleaned with Vaschen, they should go to the Temple's kitchen... Oh, there are also things Mother prepared for the Interdominion Tournament, aren't there? I wonder which dishes came from where?"

Since I don't normally cook for myself, I'd need to ask the dedicated chefs to know which pot belonged to whom. Having confirmed that there were many empty pots—which meant he had been eating—was somewhat reassuring, but the cleanup was going to be far more difficult than I had expected.

"What should we do?"

"Perhaps we could transport everything to the Temple's kitchen first, have Hugo and Nicola sort through it, and then when returning items to Lady Elvira, fill them with new dishes and sweets? What do you think?"

"I'll adopt Philine's suggestion."

Following Philine's advice, I decided to have the dishes and such transported to the Temple's kitchen, loading them onto a carriage headed there.

"What's this? ...Fabric from Ahrensbach?"

Ahrensbach must be hot, since there was a box filled with a great deal of thin cloth. Grethia pulled some out, spread it a little, and tilted her head.

"It's extremely thin. Wouldn't it be unusable in Ehrenfest except during the height of summer?"

"If you layer it thinly, it could add variety to designs. And if we gave one to Aurelia, she might be happy since it's fabric from her homeland."

Brunhilde had said that, based on the fabric selections we'd made when choosing dyed cloth, our tastes seemed to overlap. It might even work for making summer clothes for her son Sieglinde.

"Since the fabric we've received this way is meant to be distributed to female acquaintances, let's have it all taken to Lady Rozemyne's room. Fabric from other duchesses is quite rare, so people will be pleased."

Ottilie cheerfully issued orders to the attendants, saying she would need to think about who received which fabric. I entrusted all the wooden fabric boxes to Ottilie and moved on to opening the other boxes. There was still the box of Magical Tools that stopped time.

"Just how many time-stopping Magical Tools does Lord Ferdinand actually have?"

"Well now, Lady Rozemyne. When Lord Ferdinand went to Ahrensbach, and when delivering clothing and such, he sent food on multiple occasions, didn't he? He was simply returning everything that had accumulated there."

Lieseleta giggled as she spoke.

...So that's how it is. I was sending all that, and nothing ever came back.

"We had only been sending things from our side without receiving anything in return until now, so this time the boxes are numerous. Still, it must have been quite a chore for Lord Ferdinand to fill all the return gifts."

At Lieseleta's words, I imagined Ferdinand agonizing over what to send back in exchange for the food, and it struck me as a little funny. Right after, I reconsidered and thought he had probably given up on deciding and left it all to Justus.

...Justus, hang in there!

While thinking this, I opened a Magical Tool that stopped time, and inside were lots of small packages of strange items I had never seen before. Hartmut and Clarissa, who were looking alongside me, let out voices of admiration.

"Oh my! These are Ahrensbach materials. They're probably extremely rare. Might this be a return gift for the raw materials and crafting tools Lady Rozemyne sent?"

"There's a note listing what's inside, so I think the best thing to do would be to take the whole box directly to the Library's workshop."

Following their instructions, the materials box was carried off to the Library's workshop.

I opened the next box. What reached my nose with a soft *pn* was a briny sea scent with just a hint of fishiness. I immediately flung the lid wide open. A corner of the box was packed full of small Schupress, and I could see Reegish as well. There were many other fish I didn't recognize, and some had already been filleted, but a note listing the names and preparation methods was included.

"Eek! Fish! It's packed full of fish!"

"Lady Rozemyne, the fish will start moving, so please close it right away!"

Damuel slammed it shut with a bang, and in an instant the fish vanished from my sight—but the box brimming with fish had filled my heart with joy just as full.

...Lord Ferdinand, thank you! I'm seriously so happy right now!

My mind began spinning through fish recipes, wondering how I should have them prepared. It was a shame I couldn't make nimono, but I would absolutely have them make Schupress fish cakes.

"Lady Rozemyne, where should these fish be taken?"

"Half to the castle kitchen and half to the Temple. I'll share this happiness with everyone."

The other cargo contained small Ahrensbach trinkets as thanks for Letizia's sweets, along with rare seasonings and spices that could be used in cooking. There were also several letters.

"We can handle the detailed sorting of these items together during the next time we sort materials at the Library."

"Understood."

After a rough division, I arranged for carriages to head to both the Library and the Temple. I sent an ordonnance to Ralfam and a flying letter to Fran to let them know a large shipment of goods was arriving.

"You already look quite tired, but there's still the fine sorting left to do in your room afterward, Lady Rozemyne."

At Lieseleta's words, I nodded. Deciding the order in which to distribute the fabric and trinkets, and to whom, was important too. I was terrible at this sort of delicate social work and grumbled as I headed for the northern building.

Wilfried, Charlotte, and Melchior were also heading to the northern building. All three were carrying gifts from our adoptive father.

"Uncle's cargo really was only your share, wasn't it?"

Wilfried said this with an exasperated expression. I pouted.

"Big Brother, you have gifts from Father too, don't you? My share wasn't prepared in bulk by Lord Ferdinand."

"With all that, it's still not enough!?"

"Lord Ferdinand's cargo and Father's gifts are completely separate things."

I had even been complaining to my adoptive father that Ferdinand, having prepared only my portion, had been forced to hastily prepare gifts for the children too, but I didn't think that was my fault.

"Big Sister is the only one who sent food and materials to Uncle. So of course Big Sister is the only one who receives return gifts from Uncle."

Charlotte was right—Ferdinand's gifts were returns for what I had sent, so it wasn't strange for them to be exclusively for me. But they really were only for me. There wasn't a single gift for any of my other siblings. Not one. It was almost refreshing how thoroughly he had skipped them. Ferdinand did only the bare minimum required to avoid being socially rude.

When Ferdinand went to Ahrensbach as a groom, I had prepared gifts not only for Dietlinde but for Letizia as well, but I'd been told, "Is that really necessary?" Ferdinand had said that if he gave something to Dietlinde, Dietlinde would naturally distribute it to Letizia.

"He knows his siblings exist, so wouldn't a normal person show a bit more consideration?"

"It is a little lonely."

Watching Wilfried and Melchior say this to each other, I briefly debated whether it was better to speak up or keep it to myself, then opened my mouth.

"Brother Wilfried, Lord Ferdinand has never received that kind of ordinary consideration from Lady Veronica, so when he gives something to one person, the thought that he should also give to other siblings simply doesn't occur to him. For Lord Ferdinand, gifts and presents are probably things that get handed down from Father."

I added that this was merely my inference from hints in Ferdinand's words, and Wilfried blinked in surprise. Charlotte, however, nodded with an understanding expression.

"I understand. Grandmother never gave me anything either. Anything from Grandmother was distributed through Big Brother, so—"

"Really?"

"Yes. I have never once received anything from Grandmother. Before my Baptism, Big Brother was doted on by Grandmother in the eastern building, and when I came to play in the main building, Father and Mother spoiled me, so I used to envy Big Brother."

Charlotte's words struck Wilfried with visible shock. However, Charlotte did not dwell on the topic of Veronica any further, and instead expressed sympathy for Ferdinand's upbringing.

"I received gifts from Mother, but Uncle doesn't even have a mother, so perhaps it can't be helped that he doesn't understand those things."

"Yes. Lord Ferdinand probably thinks that as long I distribute everything to everyone, that's sufficient. I'm resigned to it, so I'll share the fabric and fish—but please be patient about not receiving any gifts from Lord Ferdinand."

When I said this, Melchior cheerfully replied, "I'm looking forward to it!"

While sorting through the souvenirs in the room, dinner time arrived before long. I headed to the dining hall, eager to hear about Ahrensbach.

"How was Ahrensbach? Was Lord Ferdinand given a hidden room? Was he eating properly?"

"He was in the western building, yes, and he had obtained a hidden room. Prince Sigiswald personally confirmed it, so there's no mistake."

"That's a relief."

With one worry eliminated, I let out a breath of relief. But my adoptive father glared at me.

"Ferdinand's attendants complained in roundabout ways about how, during a time when envoys from Lanzanève had arrived and they were busy to death preparing for the Ahrensbach funeral, they were told to move into a single room in the western building and it was terrible."

Apparently the attendants had found inspecting and cleaning the room quite difficult, but Ferdinand himself had been delighted.

"Furthermore, when I handed over the materials you'd entrusted to me, he disappeared into his hidden room and didn't come out until morning. During the funeral period he must have been pulling all-nighters every day—his complexion was terrible. He was probably sleeping during the day. He had more energy in the evening than in the morning."

"Isn't that far too carried away!?"

"Wasn't the hidden room, the materials, and the recovery potion provided precisely with that kind of lifestyle in mind?"

...That wasn't why I asked for the hidden room! Lord Ferdinand, you fool!

"Well, in that sense, since Ferdinand seemed to be in good spirits, there was no real problem. What concerned me about the funeral was Lanzanève and the Central Knights."

My adoptive father ended the topic of Ferdinand. My adoptive mother, who had been listening in silence until then, asked worriedly, "Did something happen?"

"It wasn't exactly an attack, nor a rebellion, nor a disturbance... A portion of the Central Knights suddenly went berserk during the funeral."

"Huh?"

According to my adoptive father, it had been completely sudden. During the funeral, some of the Central Knights had started causing a scene. The Ahrensbach guard knights and the Commander of the Central Knights had quickly moved in and subdued the rampaging knights.

"Five went berserk. Two of them died. Three were bound and immediately sent back to the Central District. No one else was injured, and they were suppressed quickly."

When the disturbance began and everyone's attention turned to see what was happening, the surrounding knights had already moved to restrain them. Some people probably didn't even fully understand what had happened. It was that brief a commotion. In fact, the funeral apparently continued as though nothing had occurred.

However, by the next day, the incident had become one where the Central Knights, acting under royal orders, had attacked Ahrensbach's next Aub. Apparently Dietlinde had made a huge commotion at dinner, shouting that "the Central Knights, on the orders of royalty, turned their weapons on us," and for those who hadn't been present, it created the impression that a major incident had taken place.

"I have no idea who orchestrated this or what their goal was. But I believe it planted distrust of the Central Knights in the hearts of everyone who attended."

"What did Lord Ferdinand...?"

"He rebuked Lady Dietlinde, telling her it wasn't something to make such a fuss about, and she turned around and accused him of not caring about her and failing to protest to the royalty."

My adoptive father sighed, saying that Ferdinand had also found the negotiations with the royalty and the Central Knights quite difficult. Dietlinde had the king's grandson from Lanzanève at her side, who had apparently been constantly expressing concern. He had seemed far more like a fiancé than Ferdinand had.

"Lady Dietlinde's lover is also..."

"Sylvester."

My adoptive mother smiled wryly and cut off my adoptive father's words. With a silently intimidating smile that conveyed this was not a story for children's ears, she made him fall silent.

...Come to think of it, hadn't he mentioned a love affair across different ranks at the Noble Academy tea party? I thought I'd heard they had broken up, but apparently it was still ongoing.

If she had a boyfriend who cherished her, Ferdinand's situation must be quite difficult. Ferdinand might look warm and smiling on the surface, but the closer you got to him, the more careless he became with how he treated you.

"Lanzanève is a country outside Yurgenschmidt, isn't it? Did their representative also attend the Aub of Ahrensbach's funeral?"

Reading the atmosphere, Charlotte smoothly changed the subject. My adoptive father, who had been getting scolded by my adoptive mother, quickly latched onto the new topic.

"Because of the Border Gate, Lanzanève and Ahrensbach have an ongoing exchange. From the end of spring, around when the Lord's Conference concludes, to the end of autumn, a Lanzanève representative stays in Ahrensbach, and trade ships come and go. I saw ships emerging from the Border Gate for the first time—it was quite fascinating. And having the Border Gate standing right there on the wide blue sea was interesting too."

Because of this exchange, the Lanzanève representative had also attended the funeral. Apparently, the clothing worn by the Lanzanève people had incorporated silver fabric.

"I only saw from a distance, and what we found in Ehrenfest was just a tiny scrap, so I can't tell if it's the same material. But just the fact that it's silver makes me uneasy. If it's Lanzanève, it wouldn't be surprising at all if they had materials that carry absolutely no magic, would it?"

Grandfather, who had discovered the silver fabric at the summer estate in Gerlach, listened to my adoptive father's account with a troubled expression.

"Caution is warranted, but while it can defend against magical attacks, it won't protect against other types of impact. As protection against assassins or an opponent's opening strike, its effectiveness would be considerable. However, as armor, fabric is not particularly useful."

A Stab sword couldn't cut through it, but a bludgeoning weapon would transfer its full impact, and any part of the body not covered by the fabric would have magic pass through it normally. Grandfather said it was useless as armor.

"Father, you've already discussed this in detail with Lord Ferdinand, haven't you?"

"Yes. When I went to inspect the hidden room, I told him about it. He said he'd like to get his hands on some if possible and study it."

According to my adoptive father, the people of Lanzanève who had the blood of Yurgenschmidt's royalty looked completely different from the locals. After hearing various accounts, they apparently had brown skin and slightly different facial features.

"I was a little surprised since it was my first time seeing them. Most of Lanzanève's population is local, so they said it felt strange when they came to Yurgenschmidt."

"What kind of place must Lanzanève be? I feel like I'd like to visit someday. Oh, but I want to visit other duchesses first. I've been hearing about the Noble Academy from my brothers and sisters, and I'm looking forward to going."

I nodded vigorously at Melchior's words.

"I feel the same way, Melchior. I wonder what kind of books Lanzanève has. I'd like to visit their library someday. Of course, I'm interested in other duchesses' libraries as well. The libraries of Dunkelfelger and Klassenberg, with their long histories, must have all sorts of wonderful books."

...Just imagining it makes me dreamy.

While I was lost in reverie at the thought of rows upon rows of books, Charlotte smiled with a troubled expression.

"...Your feelings toward the Library are coming through loud and clear, Big Sister, but I don't think that's quite the same feeling as Melchior's."

I laughed off Charlotte's exasperated retort.

After hearing my adoptive father's account of Ahrensbach, dinner ended. When I tried to ask about Ferdinand, he cut me off with "Read the letter for the details."

"Rozemyne, there should have been a letter from Ferdinand among the cargo, correct? I believe it contains a letter from Lady Letizia as well. Please reply as soon as possible."

"Understood."