As
After a moment, two people in blue priest's robes descended the stairs. They knelt before Sigiswald, and Ehrenfest's Chief Priest
"Prince Sigiswald, I humbly apologize, but Lady Rosemine wishes to continue her reading. Today is Earthday — a day of rest by convention, and the ceremony is already complete. The cleanup will be handled by the Central
It struck Sigiswald as unlikely that Rosemine would suddenly decide to read now, of all times — she had come to the library to supply magic power alongside him as a royal and had said nothing about it until this point. He knew that once Rosemine began reading, nothing short of outright disrespect would pull her away, but he also knew she maintained some semblance of reason before she actually started.
He sensed there was something behind this request, but it was clearly not something Hartmut could voice with Solange present and Sigiswald surrounded by his retainers. So Sigiswald granted permission.
"I will allow Rosemine her reading. In exchange, the Chief Priest will accompany me to the innermost chamber to verify its condition."
"As you wish.
The blue-robed priest called Damuel nodded quietly and returned to the second-floor reading room.
After being seen off by Solange, Sigiswald left the library with his retainers in tow. He handed Hartmut a Magical Tool for preventing eavesdropping and began walking toward the central building.
"So, what happened to Rosemine?"
"She vanished in an instant while supplying magic power."
Sigiswald swallowed the words "What are you talking about?" that had risen to his throat and offered a thin smile.
"Vanished? What exactly do you mean?"
"According to the library's Magical Tools on the second floor, she went to 'the old man's place.' When I asked about the old man, they replied that he was old and great. Do any of the royals happen to know something?"
Hartmut spoke with a calm smile and his gaze fixed ahead, yet Sigiswald could detect a faint undercurrent of excitement — or perhaps anxiety — in his manner. He didn't seem to be lying, Sigiswald judged. There would be no point in lying to the royals about something like this.
"When is Rosemine expected to return? Did the library's Magical Tools say anything about that?"
Had it been anyone other than Rosemine, Sigiswald wouldn't have been concerned. But Rosemine was set to become the king's adoptive daughter in spring and receive the
"...They don't know when she'll return. She could come back at any moment, or it might take three days. We'd prefer not to make a big issue of this for now. Lady Rosemine was exhausted from the dedication ritual and her health has declined. Ehrenfest intends to handle it this way for the time being."
"I will inform my father tonight, but until the next Earthday, my father and I will keep this between ourselves."
If she were to be gone for over a week, the royals would need to convene a discussion. As someone slated for royal status, Rosemine occupied a position of considerable importance. Hartmut, having secured a week's grace, relaxed his expression slightly and smiled. "I am grateful."
When Sigiswald and the others returned, the innermost chamber had already been cleaned by the Central Temple personnel. Hartmut inspected the premises in his capacity as the nobility's representative, while Sigiswald sealed the innermost chamber as a member of the royal family.
That evening, Sigiswald informed only his father, Traokvar, of Rosemine's disappearance and Ehrenfest's plan to publicly treat it as illness. There was far too little information to work with, and no clear course of action. Traokvar furrowed his brow and slowly exhaled.
"If she truly might return soon, it would be best not to cause a scene at this juncture. Let us follow Ehrenfest's lead."
If Rosemine still hadn't returned by the next Earthday — when the dedication ritual for the lower-ranking nobles was to be held — they would convene a royal discussion regarding her disappearance. And so the day ended.
Even a week later, Rosemine had not shown herself. Hildebrandt, who had been eager to participate in his first religious ceremony and had come to offer his greetings, was sent away with a request to ask after Rosemine's condition from Ehrenfest's people. Sigiswald also conveyed to
The previous autumn, Naerellache — who at that time was still Sigiswald's first wife — had given birth to a son. Half a year later, during the Lord's Conference, Eglantine's pregnancy was discovered.
Apparently, when Eglantine had prayed at a shrine, the gods informed her that she was carrying a female child. She was told to stop praying, as it would place too much strain on her body and magic power, and the magic power she had dedicated was returned to her as a blessing.
Though they had been careful not to let this leak to the public, the royals were in a state of panic. The magic power that Eglantine had been dedicating would need to be taken over by Naerellache — who had only just finished the minimum nursing period — and
Now, Eglantine was teaching at the Noble Academy on a postpartum body that was still in pain, all to maintain appearances that nothing had changed from last year. Naerellache had taken on half the academic year to ease the burden, but it was still clearly difficult.
Still, Sigiswald felt it was only natural that Eglantine, who wanted children, would push herself to some degree. No matter what Anastasius said, this was not something he was willing to compromise on.
In truth, Sigiswald had hoped they would wait to conceive until he and Adolphine had a son of their own. At the very least, he had wanted them to wait until the current Archduke and next-in-line had obtained the Grutrissheit, or until the number of people capable of supplying magic power had increased. But then again...
...The expansion of the royal family is certainly cause for celebration, but Father is far too lenient.
The dedication ritual had been held at both the Noble Academy and the Lord's Conference — it had been a year of abundant magic power. Only when it was discovered that Rosemine might actually obtain the Grutrissheit would Sigiswald have been able to genuinely congratulate Eglantine on her pregnancy.
Sigiswald was sincerely relieved that Eglantine had given birth to a daughter. The Aub of Klassenberg would stop at nothing to increase his influence, and if the child had been a boy, they would have done everything in their power to ensure Anastasius became the next king.
Sigiswald knew all too well how powerless a royal without the Grutrissheit truly was. And yet, he had to maintain the pretense of royal propriety. If Eglantine truly wished to prevent Klassenberg's interference and ensure the stability of
...He knew it was largely Anastasius's fault, but since Eglantine was the only one who could put a stop to it, his emotions inevitably churned.
He ate dinner while listening to Hildebrandt recount the dedication ritual. Unlike Rosemine's ceremony, no pillar of magic light had risen, but apparently the divine instruments had glowed with noble colors. The ritual had unfolded quite differently from Rosemine's — where the divine instruments had been overwhelmed by the sheer volume and speed of magic power flowing in, causing pillars of seven-colored light to erupt simultaneously from the instruments held by the statues of the gods. Still, despite voicing some mild dissatisfaction, Hildebrandt was delighted to have participated in his first religious ceremony.
After dinner, Anastasius and Eglantine joined them. The retainers were dismissed, and with only royals present and the eavesdropping-prevention Magical Tool activated, they discussed Rosemine's disappearance. Sigiswald relayed how she had vanished from the second floor of the library and how the Magical Tools had said she went to "the old man's place."
"Huh? So Rosemine being bedridden was a lie?"
Hildebrandt's eyes went wide, and Sigiswald confirmed with a nod: "It's Ehrenfest's wish not to escalate the situation." He then asked about conditions in Ehrenfest.
"...Everything was normal. They conveyed that Rosemine was still bedridden and expressed their gratitude for the royal family's concern."
Sigiswald judged that Ehrenfest still intended to keep Rosemine's disappearance hidden.
"Eglantine, how are things at the Noble Academy? Has any word of Rosemine's disappearance leaked?"
"No. I don't believe anyone suspects that she's been ill for this long. ...Fraurelum, perhaps — she's been saying it's strange to be bedridden for so long."
Sigiswald searched his memory for who Fraurelum was, and recalled the teacher who had made Rosemine her personal target. He wished
...Then again, Ehrenfest was no different.
"There have been no conspicuous changes at the Noble Academy due to Lady Rosemine's absence. Some individuals have expressed concern and sent personal messages, but she has always been frail, and she normally completes her studies at the Noble Academy as quickly as possible before returning to Ehrenfest. Lady Rosemine's absence from classes is the norm."
Rosemine was a rare top student whose normal state was to not be present at the Noble Academy. Whenever she did attend, she drew attention for one thing or another. She always completed her studies at top speed and returned for the dedication ritual, making her presence there the exception rather than the rule.
"Several duchies have also sent social overtures to Ehrenfest seeking contact with Lady Rosemine, but it appears that
It truly did seem routine. There appeared to be no change among Ehrenfest's students either. A lord candidate had vanished without a trace, nearly a week had passed, and yet everything felt remarkably composed.
"We must also consider the possibility that Rosemine does not return."
Traokvar spoke with a somber expression. For the past year, the royals had been operating under the assumption that Rosemine would obtain the Grutrissheit. If she ultimately did, some degree of risk-taking would be acceptable; if she didn't, they would need to change their approach.
Traokvar and Sigiswald lacked the Great Gods' divine protections and therefore had to visit small shrines to offer their prayers. But performing dedications comparable to those former Archduke candidates had done throughout their time at the Noble Academy — while simultaneously managing their official duties — was exceedingly difficult.
Moreover, the small shrines had been created by individuals to make it easier for those lacking certain attributes to pray to specific gods. They were not made by Archduke candidates. As a result, some shrines were already broken, some contained only statues of gods, and others were simply never built or difficult to find — making progress painfully slow.
Father had managed to obtain all attributes through divine protections he had regained from several subordinate gods during re-acquisition. But Sigiswald still lacked two subordinate gods' protections.
...On top of that, he still needed to visit the larger shrines to reach the Grutrissheit.
The mere thought was dizzying. It made him all the more aware of how extraordinary Rosemine was to have reached that point.
She had stood in the dedication ritual with pillars of seven-colored light rising around her — and maintained her composure throughout.
"Eglantine, in the event that Rosemine does not return — however unlikely — once you have finished nursing, you too will need to visit the shrines."
"Father, that would place far too great a burden on Eglantine, and Klassenberg—"
Anastasius's objection was gently waved aside by Sigiswald.
"With the path to the Grutrissheit now visible, obtaining it is the royals' foremost priority. If spring comes, the snow melts, and Rosemine still hasn't returned, then the most efficient option — burden though it may be — is to rely on Eglantine, who already possesses all attributes from the start."
"But Eglantine has just given birth."
Traokvar slowly shook his head at Anastasius's persistence.
"If Rosemine fails to return even after the Lord's Conference — which was supposed to mark her entry into the royal family — I will issue the order to Eglantine directly. By then, she should have completed the minimum nursing period. Naerellache returned from her hiatus for Eglantine's sake. Now it is Eglantine's turn. As a royal obligation, she will visit the shrines."
Eglantine smiled and bowed her head. "As you command, Archduke."
Then she murmured softly: "Still, I do hope Lady Rosemine returns as soon as possible. It would be such a shame for this year's top student award to go to someone else."
Rosemine had been the top student for three consecutive years. Her grades would surely begin to slip if she didn't return soon. Sigiswald recalled Rosemine proudly beaming at last year's award ceremony — her first time attending — and felt the same sense of waste.
"If she doesn't return before the lower-ranking nobles' dedication ritual, we will need to speak with Ehrenfest. We must ask how they intend to respond and discuss what to do about Rosemine's studies. That duchy operates beyond the bounds of our common sense."
Acting within the framework of noble common sense only earned their displeasure. He had no idea what standard to use when dealing with them. Rosemine was going to become a royal, but for the royals, Ehrenfest and Rosemine were unknowns. Since she was the one who would obtain the Grutrissheit, ruling over her by command alone would only become more difficult. They would need to grope their way forward, testing as they went.
...And I'm the one who's to be her husband.
On the surface, she was well-connected, brimming with magic power, and ostensibly a Yurgenschmidt noble — yet Rosemine was a person with whom communication was perpetually impossible. It couldn't be dismissed with a simple "she was raised in the Temple." It wasn't just the nobility — her fundamental outlook and way of thinking were completely different from those of the Central Temple as well. Sigiswald had felt this firsthand during their individual meetings.
Her obtaining the Grutrissheit took top priority, so his concerns were being set aside, and his contact with Rosemine had been restricted. But he understood the sentiment behind Anastasius's words — "The nobility will be thrown into confusion. I oppose giving Rosemine political power."
Even after the lower-ranking nobles' dedication ritual, Rosemine had not returned. Under the pretext of commending Ehrenfest for its enormous contribution to the ritual, a tea party hosted by the royals was held, inviting the nobles who had participated in blue robes. The invitation was limited to those who had worn blue — so while Rosemine's retainers and Ehrenfest's lord candidates were invited, Klassenberg's students were excluded.
Today, they arrived not in blue robes but in formal noble attire, with Wilfried and Charlotte at the front, followed by a number of Rosemine's retainers — Hartmut,
After greetings were exchanged and poison-testing completed, they activated an area-limited eavesdropping-prevention Magical Tool and began discussing Rosemine.
"This is quite a long absence. Aren't you worried? It must be difficult for Ehrenfest as well."
It was Wilfried who answered Sigiswald's question.
"We are certainly worried. But Ehrenfest spent over half a year having Rosemine put systems in place so things could function even without her. So it hasn't been particularly difficult."
Wilfried's response was couched in the roundabout language of a noble, essentially saying that whether Rosemine was pulled away to the Central Temple, or went to the old man's place, or was simply gone — it amounted to the same thing. Sigiswald wondered if this was a jab at the royals, but then reconsidered — the meaning might be different in Ehrenfest's context.
...Conversing with Ehrenfest was truly exhausting.
"The long absence is certainly inconvenient, but we are not overly worried, as we know Lady Rosemine is well."
The people around Hartmut smiled wryly at his words. The atmosphere of casual acceptance surrounding Hartmut's declaration baffled Sigiswald. It had even come up that Rosemine might ascend to a far higher position among the royals.
"How can you say with such certainty that Rosemine is well?"
"I can feel Lady Rosemine's magic power. And should Lady Rosemine ever ascend to the highest heights, I am bound to accompany her."
Hartmut declared this with absolute conviction. Now that Sigiswald thought about it, one of the conditions for royal admission was that retainers who had performed a name-offering could be brought along, even if they were minors. Hartmut must be such a retain.
Normally, one would not openly reveal that they had offered their name, yet Hartmut stated matter-of-factly that he was under Rosemine's magic power's influence. Proudly, he showed Sigiswald the crest he wore around his neck — the same one attached to the end of Rosemine's books, her personal emblem.
"Lady Rosemine's magic power grows stronger by the day. I don't know where she is, but she is growing at an astonishing rate every single day. Because we can be certain she is well, we are able to carry on with our daily lives."
...Hartmut found joy in sensing Rosemine's magic power. He would surely follow her to the Central Temple as well. Ehrenfest's proportion of eccentrics was going to increase once more.
Going forward, Ehrenfest apparently intended to maintain the public facade that Rosemine was bedridden. They would explain to those around them that she had been sent back to Ehrenfest because of concern for her health.
"We would appreciate it if, when Lady Rosemine returns, you could instruct the teachers to allow her to take her lecture examinations as quickly as possible, and make arrangements so she can remain at the Noble Academy outside of winter as well — given that she has become involved in such an unusual situation."
Sigiswald nodded at Wilfried's words. If they were going to make Rosemine a royal, these were necessary measures whether anyone asked or not.
"Wilfried, let me ask you one thing. You will be dissolving your engagement to Rosemine. How do you feel about that?"
Wilfried answered with an expression that made it clear he harbored no attachment to the arrangement. "I believe it's unavoidable, and frankly, the position of Rosemine's fiancé never suited me. Prince Sigiswald would be a much better match."
He likely had his own complicated feelings on the matter, but Sigiswald found it to be admirable — if quintessentially noble — self-restraint.
"This is merely my personal suggestion, but I would advise you to begin crafting your protective charms early. Rosemine has many charms protecting her, so there will be a great deal to make before the wedding."
Now that he thought about it, Sigiswald had heard reports that students from Lufen and Immeldink had been hit by the backlash of Rosemine's charms. Given that she would become the bearer of the Grutrissheit, it would certainly be wise to prepare charms. Sigiswald expressed his thanks to Wilfried by offering him tea.
In the end, Rosemine did not return for the Inter-Duchy Tournament or the graduation ceremony. She was absent from both, and when
The day after graduation, on a sudden impulse, Sigiswald visited the library. He had wondered whether the Magical Tool that Rosemine had been concerned about was all right. During winter, no one had been supplying it with magic power, and the magic stone that had been filled during the dedication ritual would run dry between spring and autumn.
"Thank you for your concern, Prince Sigiswald."
In the office, Solange reported that during the Noble Academy term, Hildebrandt and Hannalore had worked hard as library committee members, and that Wilfried and Charlotte had visited to deliver a fully charged magic stone. Sigiswald breathed a sigh of relief.
Since everything seemed to be in order, Sigiswald left the office and was about to return to his residence. But before the reading room door, he stopped. He had just remembered that he had never visited the spot where Rosemine had disappeared.
To avoid making a fuss, he had refrained from going to the second-floor reading room on the day she vanished. As long as more students used the library, a royal like Sigiswald could not freely visit.
But the day after graduation, the place should be empty. Sigiswald entered the reading room and climbed the staircase on the left.
...An Ehrenfest cloak?
He had thought no one was there, but there were already visitors. Three figures wearing Ehrenfest cloaks stood at the back of the second-floor reading room. The Magical Tool that Rosemine had been supplying with magic power might be somewhere in that area.
"Prince Sigiswald?"
"Rosemine is quite concerning. This has gone on far too long."
"Indeed... By the way, Prince Sigiswald — why are you here?"
"For the same reason as you, I imagine. I came to see the Magical Tool to which Rosemine last supplied her magic power. I couldn't come while there were students about."
But Sigiswald was glad Ferdinand was here. He had heard about the Magical Tools on the second floor, but had never been told which ones they were.
When Sigiswald asked Ferdinand if he knew which Magical Tools were on the second floor, Ferdinand pointed them out one by one. There were over ten in total, large and small, and Sigiswald had no way of knowing which was the one Rosemine had last supplied with magic power.
Sigiswald thanked Ferdinand and turned to leave. After a few steps, he heard Ferdinand's weary voice.
"Rosemine truly does turn all my plans to chaos..."
Ferdinand's voice was not especially loud, but the total absence of other people made it reach Sigiswald's ears with startling clarity. He turned sharply around. Ferdinand was glaring at
And so, one by one, the students returned to their respective duchies, leaving behind their liaison knights before the dormitories closed. Ehrenfest alone had submitted a request to remain — Liesereta and Gretilia as Rosemine's Attendants, along with two guard knights and a personal chef — so that they would be ready whenever Rosemine returned.
Permission was granted. Several days later, just as Sigiswald had finished dinner, an Ordnung flew toward him. It was from Traokvar.
"Sigiswald, I've received an Ordnung from Hildebrandt. There appears to be a message from Ehrenfest. They're requesting that the innermost chamber be opened. Hildebrandt says he's heading there himself and would like your company."
Sigiswald recalled how
"I am Liesereta, Lady Rosemine's chief Attendant. I am truly sorry for troubling the royal family at such a late hour. However, Lady Rosemine has returned..."
Two Attendants carrying several cloth bundles and two guard knights apologized to Sigiswald and Hildebrandt. It was already dark outside. The moon was up, making the night relatively bright, but this was not the kind of hour one summoned royals. Yet, Liesereta explained apologetically that they could not simply leave Rosemine in the innermost chamber for three or four days while waiting for a normal royal petition.
"She's back — that's what matters. Let's go meet her at once."
"Prince Sigiswald — may we open it now?"
"Hildebrandt, calm yourself."
Sigiswald gave him a steady look, though he nodded in agreement. The hall's lock was opened, and they walked straight through the dark interior. Touching the magic stone on the door at the very end, he unlocked it and passed through a barrier that shimmered with complex, oil-film-like colors — and there they were in the innermost chamber.
"...Rosemine?"
He involuntarily held his breath. In the pale moonlight streaming through the evenly spaced narrow windows, he could make out a figure holding a glowing board — unmistakably Rosemine. Floating in that faint light, her figure was breathtakingly ethereal, almost inhuman.
Her hair, the same hue as the night sky above, was partially gathered in a round arrangement, and the familiar rainbow-colored magic stone ornament swayed gently. The golden eyes that turned toward him were the same as well. She wore the same High Priest's robes she had worn when she disappeared — indeed, piece by piece, they were the same. But taking in the whole picture, they were not the same at all. Rosemine, who had previously looked no older than a Noble Academy student, now appeared her proper age.
The childlike roundness of her face had subtly shifted in contour, and her once-lovely features had transformed into refined, exquisite beauty. Her fingertips, once soft with childhood, had grown slender and graceful. Her figure had taken on a womanly softness, yet there was an air of incompleteness about her — the particular, fragile beauty unique to a girl standing on the threshold of adulthood.
...The blessing of the gods.
No other words came to mind. She had always been a well-featured child, but to have grown into such beauty was beyond anything he had anticipated.
While Sigiswald stood there, stunned by this entirely unexpected sight of Rosemine, her retainers — who had been standing behind them — hurried forward.
"Lady Rosemine!"
"Liesereta — you brought them. Thank you so much."
"I am so glad you are safe. We were truly worried."
Then Liesereta enveloped Rosemine completely in a hooded cloak. Sigiswald quickly suppressed the part of himself that wished he could have looked longer.
"Rosemine, that appearance of yours...?"
Hildebrandt, who seemed equally stunned, asked in a slightly strained voice. If Rosemine, who had been about the same height as him, had suddenly grown by more than a full head, the shock would be considerable.
"In the Garden of Beginnings, Lady
"The Garden of Beginnings...?"
Before Hildebrandt could open his mouth to ask more questions, Rosemine extinguished the glowing board and stood before Sigiswald. The top of her head, which had once reached his chest, now reached his chin. She was perhaps a bit short for an adult woman, but considering her age, she might still grow a little more.
"Prince Sigiswald."
Even her voice had changed — no longer the familiar, slightly childish high pitch, but a woman's softer tone. The golden eyes gazing directly at him were the same. But because of Rosemine's increased height, Sigiswald felt that the distance between them had closed alarmingly.
"What is it?"
"This is terribly presumptuous of me, but would you mind if we discussed the details at the Lord's Conference? I must return to Ehrenfest immediately and speak with the Archduke. I will be back before the Lord's Conference, so please — I humbly ask for your understanding."
Rosemine spoke without even attempting to hide her urgency. Sigiswald could not help but notice that his own reflection was absent from her golden eyes.
Prince Sigiswald, busy chasing after Rosemine's disappearance.
The royals each harbored their own anxieties about how the Grutrissheit situation would unfold, but Ehrenfest had Hartmut providing almost daily "Rosemine magic power reports," which reassured everyone of her safety.
And Ferdinand, left without Rosemine, had been receiving less than adequate information.
For now, Rosemine has returned.
Next: the foundation's magic.