I am
Right now, I have my sister's letter clutched to my chest and am walking with my older brother to the children's room. I have a request entrusted to me by my sister.
...I must absolutely see it through!
This morning, shortly after breakfast, Father and Mother, along with Uncle
I was called to my brother's room and told the details of last night's attack. I learned that while one attacker was captured, there was a high possibility that multiple nobles were involved. I also learned that my sister, who had fallen into a critical condition from poison, was soaking in a drug called Yuriev to neutralize her Magic Power and would not awaken for over a year.
...It was because she used her own guards to save me. It was my fault.
As I blamed myself and cried, Uncle Ferdinand told me with a stern expression, "Stop wasting your energy."
"Before you cry, think about how you will make amends. You can lament anytime. But honestly, it's a waste of time. Could you please make an effort to fill in for
While Father frowned beside him, saying, "That's too harsh, Ferdinand," Mother added, "I don't think Rozemyne would be happy knowing Charlotte was crying for her sake."
When I wiped my tears and looked up at my uncle, he said, "I want the two of you,
...If you say I should make amends rather than cry, then I will do my utmost to fill in for my sister.
"Managing the children's room is for the two of you. Regarding the Spring Dedication Ceremony, it's too much for Charlotte, who isn't used to handling Magic Power, so I intended to ask Wilfried, who will be watching the estate during the Lord's Conference..."
Right after I made that resolution, my uncle removed me from participating in the blessing of the Dedication Ceremony. It was no laughing matter. If my chance to make amends was taken away just like that, what was I supposed to do?
"Uncle, it's not impossible! If being accustomed to handling Magic Power is what's needed, then I simply need to practice! If Brother practiced during the Lord's Conference, then I will practice over the winter. I am the daughter of a Lord, after all. I will do whatever I can to take the place of my sister, who was poisoned because of me."
All my tutors have always said in unison that I am more capable than my brother, who is always trying to escape his assignments. If I put in the effort, I should certainly be able to fill my sister's role.
"Charlotte, handling Magic Power is difficult. It's painful and harsh when you're not used to it. ...Still, if you wish to do it, then try it. Practicing how to handle Magic Power and seeing with your own eyes everything Rozemyne has done until now will be good nourishment."
"Yes, Father."
"I'm going to the Dedication Ceremony too. I can't keep being saved by Rozemyne."
My brother also clenched his fist firmly and declared that to Uncle. It wasn't the gentle but lazy brother I knew, and I stared at him wide-eyed.
"Then, both of you. During the winter, practice handling Magic Power by infusing it into the foundation stones, and prepare for the Spring Dedication Ceremony. Your parents and
"Ferdinand..."
Father made a bitter face, but Uncle gave a slight smile and bowed politely.
"Aub Ehrenfest, please also handle the arrangements for the Dedication Ceremony concerning the two of them."
After entrusting Father with the ceremony arrangements and Magic Power practice, Uncle handed me and my brother a letter.
"This is a letter Rozemyne left behind. It contains schedules and plans regarding the children's room. You don't have to do everything exactly as Rozemyne did, but manage the children's room to some extent."
"Yes!"
And so, first came managing the winter children's room. My brother and I had to work together to carry out the contents of my sister's letter. It said: "Rozemyne's head Attendant and guards will be sent to the children's room, but they have been instructed to return their personal staff to the
...Uncle said we probably wouldn't be able to do things exactly like my sister, but she managed it at the same age as me. I will certainly manage as well.
"Good day, everyone."
I had been told to ask for assistance from as many people as possible, so I called in not only Teacher
The letter contained requests for the students at the Noble Academy to gather information from other provinces and to compile reference books summarizing lecture content. It stated that compensation would be provided depending on the usefulness of the information and the detail of the lectures.
"What is the compensation?"
"Money. Though, I don't know where Rozemyne's money comes from. What about Charlotte's and Wilfried's budgets? Is it from the head Attendant? Or should we ask the Aub of Ehrenfest?"
I tried to explain my budget to my sister's guard-in-training, but another guard casually raised his hand.
"
"I see. Then let's entrust Dameur and
"Understood."
The tasks among my sister's guards were quickly sorted out. However,
"For activities at the Noble Academy, could we also have the cooperation of Wilfried and Charlotte's guard-in-training?"
"Of course. We'll be counting on you at the Academy,
"Please leave it to me, Lady Charlotte."
At Cornelius's request, not only my own guard-in-training, but also my brother's guard-in-training nodded in agreement.
"Lady Charlotte, if you leave things regarding the Academy to Cornelius and the others, it should be fine. How about the children's room? What kind of instructions is Lady Rozemyne giving?"
Richarda, who had become my sister's head Attendant, asked that question. Richarda had previously been my father's head Attendant, so I knew her well. Reassured, I showed her the letter as well.
Regarding the children's room, it said that since there are more picture books this year, we should continue copying exercises tailored to each child's ability. For arithmetic, we should increase the digits for multiplication and division. Also, we should announce that last year's picture books and toys will be collected, and that they can be lent out again this year in exchange for stories.
"Teacher Moritz, will we be able to do what my sister did this year?"
When I asked, the teacher slowly nodded.
"...Let's do it. Last year, Rozemyne was truly skilled at motivating the children and used various methods to bring out their enthusiasm. I am here as a teacher. Let's use last year's Rozemyne as a reference and get through this winter."
"Indeed, I will also do my best in Rozemyne's place."
My brother, who had experienced last year's children's room, clenched his fist eagerly.
Richarda, who had been tilting her head in thought, raised her hand to interrupt the discussion.
"I hate to dampen your enthusiasm, but perhaps it would be better to simply greet Lady Charlotte today, explain that Rozemyne will be away for some time, and describe how the children's room will proceed this year."
"Oh? But why? I can do everything as written in the letter."
"Lady Charlotte, preparation is needed for everything. Lady Rozemyne had sweets prepared as prizes to give to the children who won the games, but have you asked your personal staff to handle that?"
I had absolutely no plans for such preparations. As I stared blankly, Richarda looked slightly upward, as if reminding me of what my sister had done.
"The Lady had prepared in advance the division of tasks for the personal musicians regarding Fespiel practice, the selection of copying books tailored to each child's ability, the grouping for card games like Karuta and Trump, and the sweets for prizes. It will likely be difficult for Lady Charlotte, who doesn't know how last year's children's room went. It would be best to spend today assigning everyone their duties and focusing on preparations."
The advance preparations Richarda described were all things that were not mentioned in the letter.
"You say preparations, but I don't know what to do. Richarda, do you know?"
"Yes, I do, young Master Wilfried."
"Good. Then, teach me."
Under Richarda's direction, Teacher Moritz began creating tests to measure the children's abilities, and the personal musicians started preparing their lesson divisions. My brother's guards were sent to negotiate with the knights for the children's training.
While I watched everyone bustle about, I received greetings from the children. I had already been told the names of the children who had tricked my brother at the autumn hunting tournament, so I had to memorize their faces well. How to interact with these children was also our task this winter.
"Lady Charlotte, you mentioned that Lady Rozemyne would be away for a long time. How long will it be?"
Filine, a lower-ranking noble, finished her greeting last and asked in a small voice, looking around cautiously. Filine's young, leaf-green eyes trembled with worry for my sister.
"I'm sorry. I don't know the details myself either."
"Lady Rozemyne said she would make a book out of my mother's story. This year, I wasn't just telling the story to Lady Rozemyne, I worked hard to write it myself and wanted her to see it..."
Filine said that and sadly lowered her eyes. I couldn't make the book for her.
...I really can't do things the same way as my sister.
It was an immediate setback on the very first day. My self-confidence, built on being told I was more capable than my brother and being praised for working hard enough to be worthy of a Lord's child, cracked with a sharp sound.
Starting the next day, our challenge began. Based on the hastily created tests, Teacher Moritz began measuring each child's abilities. Meanwhile, using my brother Wilfried's memories, we divided the children into groups for games and played Karuta and Trump.
...Today, we also have the sweets prepared.
I was put in charge of the group of children who had just completed their Baptism Ceremony. To win here and become an insurmountable wall just like my sister did last year was my goal.
That resolution of mine was quickly scattered. The children who practiced Karuta and Trump between siblings were very strong, and having only ever practiced with my brother when he occasionally brought his set, I was utterly defeated.
...It's frustrating.
As a Lord's child, I couldn't just hang my head like this.
Just as I was about to suggest a rematch, I was gently pulled aside by a guard named Dameur. He wanted to see my sister's letter for the return of teaching materials.
"Return of teaching materials? What does that mean?"
"Lady Rozemyne was lending out teaching materials to lower-ranking nobles who couldn't afford to buy them themselves in exchange for their stories... Ah, the lending list is included, as expected."
The list of names I couldn't quite understand seemed to be a record of the lent materials and the stories received in return.
Prompted by Dameur asking, "Could you and Wilfried please make the announcement to everyone?", my brother and I called out to the lower nobles to return the teaching materials.
The lower nobles arrived carrying the borrowed materials. A guard named Brigitte carefully placed them into a wooden box, while Dameur marked the returns on the list.
Watching their synchronized movements, I noticed that over at my brother's group, a winner in the Karuta game had been decided.
"Then, I'll distribute the sweets to the winners."
"Yay! We were looking forward to this!"
I distributed the prepared sweets to the children who had won. The delighted children took a bite and simultaneously made a slightly awkward face before saying "It's delicious!" with forced smiles.
Puzzled by the strange reaction, I tilted my head, and my brother let out a small "Ah."
"...Everyone, I'm sorry. This year, Rozemyne is undergoing treatment, so Rozemyne's personal chef isn't here. The sweets aren't the same as last year."
I remembered the sweets served at my very first tea party with my sister and understood. They had been unfamiliar sweets, and they were incredibly delicious. My personal chef couldn't make them.
As I looked down slightly, Filine gently took my hand.
"Just having a reward is more than enough. There's no need for you to be so down, Lady Charlotte. I don't eat sweets at home very often, so I'm very happy to have a reward sweet."
"That's right, Charlotte. Even my personal chef couldn't make the same kind of sweets. Those were special because Rozemyne came up with them."
My brother told me that my sister's Attendant had said that. It seemed my sister had made not just picture books, but sweets as well.
...Can I really fill in for my sister?
Without any real sense of accomplishment, I finished dinner and had my first magic power training session. I went to Father's office to register my Magic Power and entered the Magic Supply Room for the first time.
It was a strange room with large Magical Tools, where I conducted the Magic Power supply. When they say "supply Magic Power," it isn't my own Magic Power, but rather infusing Magic Power stored in magic stones. Bonifatius would assist my brother, and Mother would assist me.
"Charlotte, place your hand on the magic stone like this, and infuse your Magic Power deeper and deeper, letting it flow in."
Mother explained this, then placed her hand over the back of mine. Determined to succeed this time, I tensed my hand resting on the magic stone.
"I pray and offer my gratitude to the gods who created the world."
Along with Father's prayer, I felt Magic Power flowing back into me from the magic stone under my palm. The repulsive sensation of Magic Power that wasn't my own trying to enter made me frantically push my own Magic Power into the opposite side.
Pushing against the current required a great deal of effort, and even though I thought I was focused, my head gradually started to feel fuzzy.
"That's enough."
As Father's voice sounded, Mother lifted my hand from the magic stone. The sudden release of the pressure I had been desperately fighting against sent exhaustion washing over me. My entire body felt incredibly strained, and I involuntarily sat down right there. I had absolutely no energy to move.
Unlike me, who was reluctant to even speak, my brother stood up, saying, "It really is tiring."
"...Brother, you seem fine."
"The Wilfried who did Magic Supply for the first time was in the same state as Charlotte is now," Father said with a chuckle, and my brother nodded in agreement.
"I think I got a little used to it because I did it every day in the spring. Rozemyne, who supplies her own Magic Power instead of magic stones, said it was something she always did for the Dedication Ceremony and looked completely unbothered. She could run without collapsing, but Magic Supply didn't faze her at all."
My brother tried to comfort me, saying I'd gradually get used to it, but his words unexpectedly made tears well up in my eyes.
"What's wrong, Charlotte?! Was it that hard that you're crying?"
"No. It's just... I never imagined I would be this useless. I can't fill in for my sister at all."
In my own mind, I thought I should be able to do much better. Because it was my fault she fell asleep, I wanted to at least make amends by splendidly taking her place and not be an embarrassment when she woke up. But I couldn't do it right at all.
"Charlotte, don't compare yourself to Rozemyne. Rozemyne is the Saint of Ehrenfest, welcomed as the Archduke's adopted daughter because of her abundant Magic Power and unparalleled knowledge. There's no need for you to do exactly the same things. Just do your best, within your limits. You're doing well."
Father told me that, but I still felt frustrated. We were only a year apart, and I never thought the difference was this great. I couldn't even fulfill my goal of taking my sister's place, which was supposed to be my amends. The day ended filled with a sense of defeat.
Once the Academy students left, the real studying with just the children began. Even then, various problems arose.
Breaking up the copying and calculation lessons, dividing and rotating the personal musicians for Fespiel practice, grouping the children for Karuta and Trump games based on their abilities, preparing the sweets for prizes, serving as the unbeatable wall to motivate them, and managing the stories the children brought in.
I stumbled over one thing after another, but by listening to the opinions of those around me, my brother and I struggled to manage the children's room.
"...My sister really did all this by herself?"
To my exasperated murmur, Teacher Moritz also sighed and shrugged.
"I remember Rozemyne making various suggestions before lessons started, but I never imagined she was doing this many trivial things in a single day. ...Well, my impression was that aside from occasionally joining the games, Rozemyne was always reading books or writing down stories."
Teacher Moritz gave a bitter smile as he realized, too late, that while writing stories for picture books during copying time, Rozemyne would look at the children's faces and call out, "It's almost time for calculations," something you couldn't do when teaching one-on-one, but which distorted your sense of time when dealing with a large group.
As my brother and I, who still hadn't mastered managing the children's room, faced this, Uncle sent us a new task. A large number of wooden plaques arrived, containing things we had to memorize for the Dedication Ceremony.
There were three plaques with the bare minimum greetings and prayers, five plaques with things we should memorize if possible, and ten plaques with things we needed to memorize perfectly if we wanted to perform the ceremony just like my sister.
"Rozemyne apparently memorized all of them. That's what the Temple Attendants said. ...I'll aim for the three plaques for now. But I'll memorize these perfectly."
I wanted to say that since I was filling in for my sister, I should do the ten plaques, but I no longer had the confidence to do anything as well as her. My confidence was already shattered. I took the three plaques, just like my brother.
"...My sister is amazing."
As I murmured that weakly, looking at the long list of prayers, my brother smiled and replied, "Indeed."
"She is. Rozemyne is amazing. That's why I have to catch up even a little while she's sleeping."
I genuinely thought my brother, who was setting my sister as his goal and working hard, was also amazing. Where I had thought my sister was special and everything I did seemed out of reach, his straightforward light pierced into my dark heart.
"I'll catch up to both my sister and my brother. I'll catch up to both of you."
The two of us competed to memorize the prayers, and just as the children's room management was slowly taking shape, though not exactly the same as my sister's, spring was already approaching.
...Time passes so quickly.
Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief that the busy winter was nearly over, Filine came up to me. "Lady Charlotte, will you be selling and lending teaching materials again this year?" she asked. Pointed out that there had been a sale at the end of winter last year, I, who hadn't considered it at all, turned pale.
...That's right! It was written in my sister's letter! What should I do?!
The one who helped me as I panicked was Dameur. This guard was so skilled at planning and arrangements that I wondered if he was a civil official. As I consulted him, nearly in tears, Dameur immediately contacted Uncle Ferdinand at the Temple via an Ordinance, got sales permission for the children's room from Father, and had the Plantin Company summoned at the end of winter.
"Thank you so much, Dameur."
"This is nothing compared to the unreasonable requests Lady Rozemyne used to make," Dameur replied with a calm smile. I thought then that serving a special sister who wasn't normal must be incredibly demanding, requiring even knights to be able to do civil official work.
...It's impossible for me to be the same as my sister. My sister is special.
By the time I made peace with myself, it was spring, and for the Dedication Ceremony, my brother and I left Ehrenfest city for the first time to tour the direct territory. The tour would take about half a month, requiring at least three carriages for travel, and preparing the luggage was extremely difficult.
Since matters concerning religious ceremonies weren't understood by the castle Attendants, my brother was assigned Uncle's Attendant, and I was assigned
"Pleased to work with you, Lady Charlotte."
"The pleasure is mine, Fran. Please tell me about my sister?"
"If it is something I can answer..."
Jostled by the carriage, we first headed to a town called
"Lady Rozemyne detests people dying above all else. She searches only for ways to prevent anyone from dying, and it feels like she puts herself through great hardship because of it."
That's why she treasures even grey priests and orphans like me, Fran added with a proud smile.
I became a little worried about whether I was so beloved by my Attendants and guards. I had been taught that a good ruler was one who could effectively use those beneath them, but for the first time, I thought I wanted to be a ruler who was beloved, like my sister.
"Then, Fran. What does my sister like? I want to give her a gift as thanks for saving me when she wakes up."
"What Lady Rozemyne likes are books. I can't think of anything else. The Temple Attendants all know how much she loves books, and they work hard to create new books for her."
When we arrived in Hasse, we were greeted with an enthusiastic welcome. For Hasse, which had endured a year, this Dedication Ceremony was special and required the Lord's permission.
It seemed a stage for the ceremony was already set up, and Fran, carrying the sacred vessel, the Holy Cup, went ahead to set up the sacred tools and explain to the townspeople.
In the meantime, I was made to change into my sister's High Priest ceremonial robes inside the carriage. A white robe with a spring hair ornament—both were my sister's. Incidentally, my brother had only slightly altered the length of a blue ceremonial robe my sister made long ago and brought that. There were no children's ceremonial robes other than my sister's, so it couldn't be helped.
"Thank you for waiting."
"Lady Charlotte, the hem will get dirty, so pardon me."
Just as I was about to step out of the carriage, I was lifted into Fran's arms and carried toward the stage. Since I wasn't carried like this at the castle, my eyes widened in surprise, and Fran showed a slightly apologetic smile.
"Lady Rozemyne walks slowly and often trips on her hem, so I carry her like this. I know it may be unpleasant for you to get used to, Lady Charlotte, but the ground is muddy, so please forgive me."
Following Fran up to the stage, I climbed onto the platform where the sacred tools were placed.
Facing us were more people than had gathered for my presentation, and they stared at me so intently it hurt. Their intense, fervent gazes were so strong they made me want to flee the scene.
The tension was far greater than during my Baptism Ceremony presentation. Back then, my sister had smiled at me when I entered and spoken to me while I played the Fespiel, easing my nerves a little. Even though it was only one season ago, it felt like a very long time ago.
As I stiffened with tension, the village heads, who were to receive the blessing, approached the stage carrying large containers. With each footstep, it felt like everyone's expectant eyes were closing in, and my throat felt dry as a desert.
...What if I make a mistake? If I can't do it like my sister, they'll surely be disappointed.
As those thoughts filled me, Fran gently held a magic stone in front of my eyes.
"Lady Charlotte, this is the magic stone for this blessing. ...It is said to be filled with Lady Rozemyne's Magic Power."
Fran handed me the pale yellow-tinted magic stone, and I stared intently at it.
"Please deliver Lady Rozemyne's Magic Power, who was always worried about Hasse, to the people of Hasse. Only you can do this, Lady Charlotte. You must have practiced a lot for this day, right? Offer Lady Rozemyne's Magic Power along with the prayers."
...Deliver my sister's Magic Power to Hasse.
This was something I, who had declared I would fill in for her, absolutely had to do.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed the magic stone filled with my sister's Magic Power against the sacred vessel's stone. Then, slowly, I began to speak.
"Oh, Frightline, Goddess of Water who brings healing and change! Oh, the twelve goddesses who serve at her side! Bestow upon your sister, Gedulhi,
As if pouring Magic Power into the Holy Cup, I steadily pushed the magic stone's power in. Suddenly, the Holy Cup burst into golden light. A murmur rose from the townspeople in the square, but I kept my eyes down and continued the prayer to the end.
"I offer to you the joyful song of life rejoicing! I pray and offer my gratitude, that you may bestow your pure blessing! Fill all things upon this vast, great earth with your noble essence!"
When I finished the prayer, Fran gently tilted the Holy Cup. A green, glowing liquid flowed from the cup and poured into the containers held by the village heads waiting in line.
Although I was getting somewhat used to handling Magic Power, performing a religious ceremony for the first time in front so many people was quite taxing, and I shamefully collapsed onto the platform, unable to move.
"That was truly wonderful, Lady Charlotte. Please, take this. It is a restorative medicine containing the High Priest's feelings of commendation."
"Thank you."
I accepted the medicine offered by Fran with a smile and tried to drink it. The foul smell I detected just by opening the lid made me wonder if I was being subjected to a prank, and I stared at Fran.
"...Fran, this smells awful. Is this really medicine for drinking?"
"Lady Rozemyne said the same thing the first time. However, it is undoubtedly medicine. It's what the High Priest and Lady Rozemyne use when they need to recover their condition urgently. The smell and taste are terrible, but it's said to be very effective."
On the verge of tears from Fran's words, I drank the medicine. Unable to spit it out, I desperately swallowed it down, but it made my tongue tingle and sting, and the taste was so awful that tears wouldn't stop for a while. My fatigue did vanish quickly, and I could move again, but I never wanted to drink it ever again.
"Lady Rozemyne uses this to recover her Magic Power and stamina, performs a ceremony, and when her Magic Power and stamina are depleted, recovers with this medicine and performs the ceremony at the next location. That is how she conducts the Dedication Ceremony and Harvest Festival. If you ever need it, Lady Charlotte, please don't hesitate to ask. I've been given a large supply from the High Priest. You have a long road ahead, after all."
...To drink medicine like this, perform ceremonies over and over, and travel around infusing Ehrenfest with Magic Power, my sister Rozemyne isn't just a Saint—she's practically a Goddess.
All my surprise, exasperation, admiration, and jealousy seemed to dissolve away, and I felt like I wanted to worship my sister.
Wilfried and Charlotte worked hard in the children's room and for the Dedication Ceremony.
The two, who endured the High Priest's strict demands, grew tremendously.
The one who worked hard behind the scenes was Dameur. He was getting used to emergencies.
Next, the season shifts to summer, from Giebe Ilgner's perspective.