As soon as I returned to my room after calling out to
Before introducing someone as a candidate retainer, there were apparently many things that needed to be arranged in advance — whether the person had any desire to serve, how they had performed in their work so far, whether they could be entrusted with duties, and if they were a minor, what their parents' wishes were.
Brünhilde had spent a year observing me as my primary, watched
However, when Judit learned that Brünhilde had been permitted to make an introduction, she got carried away and assumed she could do the same. But that was simply an act that only caused trouble for everyone due to insufficient groundwork.
"The Lady had explicitly stated that she wished to respect Theodore's wishes, so he likely wouldn't be forced into becoming a retainer. But if someone ordered him to become one, Theodore would have had to give up his own dream."
Right now, the years of the lord candidate cohort were especially close together, and there were very few children of retainer age at the Noble Academy. It wasn't unusual for Theodore's opinion to be ignored given his lower status.
"I am truly sorry."
When Judit apologized with drooping shoulders, Lihwala softened her stern expression slightly and smiled at her. "Be more careful next time," she said.
After finishing her lecture to Judit, Lihwala turned on her heel toward me. By then, her face was terrifying once more.
"How many times have I told you not to speak to the Lady on whims! Since you declared in front of the other children that Theodore would serve as your retainer at the Noble Academy, you must now decide on the path forward. Go discuss this thoroughly with Lord
After Lihwala reported to my guardians, I was summoned to my adoptive father's office. The first to speak was the Chief Priest, who wore the most hostile expression of all.
"So, I received a report from Lihwala. A retainer exclusively for the Noble Academy? What exactly are you thinking?"
"No matter what you say... I was referencing Lord Ferdinand's example, in a way."
"Imitating me?"
The Chief Priest furrowed his brow as if he had no idea what I meant.
"Lord Ferdinand only has
During the Inter-Domain Tournament, when we were sitting and drinking tea, there had been a few knights standing guard behind us, but I only recognized them by sight — they weren't the ones the Chief Priest regularly had with him. In fact, once the Tarnisbefahren subjugation began at the awards ceremony, the knights had prioritized guarding the lord and his wife, and the only escort knight left with the Chief Priest should have been Brother Eckhart.
"Lord Ferdinand was also a lord candidate, so he must have had many retainers during his time at the Noble Academy, right? What happened to them now? If it's fine to only have them present when needed, then couldn't I simply have retainers who serve only during the Noble Academy period as well?"
When I said I had tried imitating my guardians after being told I couldn't share retainers with
"...You and I are different."
"How so? Honestly, I'd be satisfied just maintaining appearances at the Noble Academy. I plan to train a few more core officials, but beyond that, I have enough."
While the Chief Priest made a terrible face, Father muttered, "Aren't you just imitating all the bad habits of your guardians?" and hung his head. Lihwala pressed her forehead with her hand, and my adoptive father compared my face with the Chief Priest's and burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha! Saying you only need to maintain appearances — that's exactly what Ferdinand said. It is you who must train retainers to serve as
"My retainers from my Noble Academy days were mostly from the former
I was told that our positions were different — I had been promised to become the lord's wife in the future, so I had no worries about my prospects, unlike the Chief Priest. But I didn't think it made much difference in terms of the limited pool of potential retainers.
"You say I could choose freely, but excluding
The current Children's Room had been led by Wilfried and Charlotte while I was asleep in Yurivé, so the children of the major upper noble families had been sorted by gender into one group or the other. Beyond them, there were those my mother had assessed and approached to serve as Melchior's retainers, those from the former Veronica faction whom Lihwala had ruled out from the start, lower nobles who were never included as retainer candidates for the lord's family from the beginning, and those who had declined for personal reasons at the time of the approach.
I'd heard there were few peculiar children who wanted to become my retainer when it was unclear when I would wake.
For the underclassmen who had never interacted with me, they were apparently turned away at the approach stage, and I was told that I should prepare candidates only from the upperclassmen and then choose for myself when the time actually came. But if I could be honest, I wished they had kept a few underclassmen as potential retainer candidates, not just the upperclassmen.
"Anyone who reaches the point of being considered for your retinue is by definition not from the former Veronica faction, so you could simply use Theodore not just at the Noble Academy but permanently. It's precisely when people start saying things like 'only during the Noble Academy period' that things become complicated."
"Theodore had told me he wants to become a knight serving
I may have been the one to raise a complicated objection, but I wanted to respect Theodore's future dreams. At the very least, I didn't want to crush them.
"Lihwala also said during the
Choosing someone based solely on bloodline and ending up with a repeat of the Traugott situation would be troublesome. At the very least, I wanted someone who would serve properly during their time at the Noble Academy. As I made this argument and stared down the Chief Priest, my adoptive father slowly stroked his chin and exhaled.
"Don't glare at each other, you two. Both of your arguments have merit. As Ferdinand fears, Rozemyne must train her own retainers for the future. However, as Rozemyne says, there are currently very few children who can become retainers of the lord's family. Adults and older children understand Rozemyne's accomplishments during her two years of sleep on an instinctive level, but the smaller children can't see it."
While saying this, my adoptive father crossed his arms and sank into serious thought about whether it should be limited to the Noble Academy period. The Chief Priest looked extremely displeased.
"Aub Ehrenfest. You aren't seriously considering granting permission, are you?"
"Compared to Rozemyne's earlier proposal to share retainers with Melchior, this proposal is far more tolerable. Wouldn't you agree?"
Serving two masters simultaneously would inevitably lead to comparisons, making it far too dangerous for Melchior to share retainers.
"But a lord candidate and a Giebe are different things. It's difficult to compare them, and being trained by Rozemyne at the Noble Academy wouldn't be a bad thing for Giebe Kirnberger. Gresschel and
My adoptive father said that even if other Giebe territories wanted to send their children as temporary retainers to establish connections with the lord's family, the decision to accept them or not lay with the lord's family, so it wouldn't pose a particular problem.
"As for magic compression, anyone who qualifies as a candidate for the lord family's retainers would be included in that anyway. There's no reason to raise a fuss. However, if temporary retainers and regular retainers are treated exactly the same, there will inevitably be discontent at some point. If Rozemyne can't manage her retainers well, it will become a serious problem later."
I nodded firmly at my adoptive father's words.
"There is one more concern. Female retainers will eventually resign upon marriage. You must keep that in mind when selecting retainers. You are the one staying here as the lady of the house."
Normally, female lord candidates married lords from other domains or upper nobles within their own territory. If they married into another domain, a small number of retainers accompanied them, but if they married an upper noble, they were no longer part of the lord's family and their retainers were dismissed.
However, since I was an adopted daughter who would become the lord's wife, my retainers wouldn't be dismissed. I was told to also keep in mind women around the age where they could return to work — like my mother or Ottlie, whose children had reached the age to enter the Noble Academy.
...I understood that, but women at the age to return to work couldn't serve as retainers at the Noble Academy, and the women I knew at that age were mostly members of my mother's "Romance Story Creation Squad." I couldn't disband them since we needed to create new books, but what to do?
As a result of discussions between my adoptive father and Giebe Kirnberger, permission was granted for Theodore to serve as my retainer exclusively during the Noble Academy period, on the condition that
The day the Plantane Company would sell books at the castle was communicated via messenger bird from my adoptive father's officials, so I was busy promoting them in the Children's Room. This year's flagship products from the
"Stories from other domains? That sounds wonderful!"
"I read the stories about the Noble Academy and now I want to go even more!"
Though the smaller children said this, their height was on par with mine at best. Their cheerful, laughing faces were still adorable.
"It's already becoming trendy to read Ehrenfest's books at the Noble Academy too. You'd do well to read them thoroughly before enrolling. Besides, once you're able to lend and borrow books with friends, you'll be able to read even more."
Books were expensive after all, and few families could afford to buy many. If they could buy different varieties and exchange them to read, Plantane's sales might drop, but each individual would gain access to more books.
Honestly, even if more books were produced, there were few nobles in Ehrenfest with enough money to buy everything. If Plantane wanted to boost book sales, they would need to sell to other domains.
...I need to report to
The morning of the release day was scheduled for a meeting with Plantane. It had become an annual event, so there wasn't much to discuss about selling at the castle. However, this time there needed to be a meeting about consignment sales of books printed at Haldenzel and Gresschel, and I had to attend to keep an eye on things, making sure Plantane wasn't at too much of a disadvantage and that Benno wasn't overcharging the Giebe.
"My Lady, it's time for your appointment with Plantane."
When Lihwala told me this, I left my room accompanied by my officials. Charlotte was there, and I could see Wilfried waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
"So you're also holding a meeting with Plantane for the book sales. I had asked you to contact your sister's knights, but after that, the matter was concluded with her escort knights and the attendants assigned to the Children's Room, so this is my first time attending a meeting."
I'd heard from the Chief Priest that
Charlotte turned back to Damuel and smiled. "You were very helpful back then." Looking up at the flustered Damuel from Lesser Beast, I puffed out my chest.
"Damuel is a guard knight who is also skilled at official work, and he helps out a great deal at the Temple too. He's also the one Ferdinand frequently delegates tasks to."
"I imagine so. His work allocation and his manner of giving instructions were both remarkably precise."
Charlotte explained that she had been completely at a loss about what to do and hadn't been able to give any instructions to her own retainers, and that my guard knights had stepped in to help.
"I was truly amazed that all of your guard knights are so proficient at official work."
As Charlotte looked at me with eyes full of respect, I wasn't sure how to respond, so I glanced at
When we arrived at the meeting room, the Giebe representatives and Plantane were already in discussion. Plantane had sent Benno,
After exchanging the lengthy greetings customary among nobles and confirming that, like last year, there were no particular issues, Damian left with the Children's Room attendants to make preparations.
"Regarding the sale of books produced outside the Rozemyne Workshop..."
Benno began his explanation so that even Wilfried and Charlotte's officials, who were attending for the first time, could understand. This time, the discussion was about the consignment fees for selling books that Giebe Haldenzel and Giebe Gresschel had each produced in their respective territories.
Since most of the books so far had been produced at the Rozemyne Workshop, this hadn't been particularly necessary. But as printing workshops proliferated across various regions, they needed to set proper terms. Eventually, more shops selling books would emerge, but for now, Plantane bore the full burden and would serve as the gateway for future sales to other domains.
They considered numerous scenarios — when the book-bearing party brought the goods themselves, when Plantane went to collect them, when they were sold at the castle, when the shop stored the merchandise — and ironed out the details.
"The fees change significantly just based on whether we bring them in ourselves?"
"Transportation costs are the major factor. Without adding transportation costs to the product price, there's no profit to be had."
Giebe Gresschel looked at Benno with a skeptical gaze. I turned to the Giebe representatives, smiled warmly, and began to explain.
"The Giebe can use teleportation circles to transport books to the castle, but for commoners whose primary means of transport is by ship or horse-drawn cart, transportation costs are the greatest expense. Beyond the distance itself, the speed also varies depending on how well the road to Ehrenfest has been maintained. That naturally affects the price as well. Haldenzel's costs are higher than Gresschel's for exactly that reason."
If they shipped the books along with the tax collection using the teleportation circle, it would require magic power but no money. If commoners transported them by cart, there was a risk of damage, and without adding the transportation fee, no profit could be expected. The Giebe nodded in understanding at my explanation.
"Right now, we can only send small quantities along with tax collection, so it's fine, but as book volumes increase, transportation will become a problem."
Giebe Haldenzel, whose territory was printing the books created by my mother's "Romance Story Creation Squad" and whose sales were going briskly, furrowed his brow and focused on the transportation issue.
"We're currently researching improvements to the teleportation circles to reduce the amount of magic power needed for transport. By the time printing workshops increase and printing associations are established across the regions, we should be able to transport goods without using much magic power."
"You seem to have quite the long-term vision."
"When did you arrange for such research to begin?"
The surprised Giebe and Wilfried seemed unaware that the research's purpose was actually for delivering books to me, unlike the Chief Priest. I deepened my smile without saying anything unnecessary.
"The person conducting the research has been approved as an apprentice by Lord Ferdinand, so I believe it's safe to entrust them with it."
Having convinced them about the transportation costs, the consignment contract was successfully concluded. Scanning the room where the tension had visibly eased, I turned my gaze to the Giebe representatives, Wilfried, and Charlotte.
"This concludes the discussion between the Giebe and Plantane, so you may all leave now."
"What will Rozemyne do?" Wilfried asked, looking between me and Plantane with his green eyes gleaming.
"I still have matters to discuss with Plantane. I need to coordinate future plans, and I also have some personal questions."
I needed to ask about taking in
"Would the future plans be something I shouldn't hear?"
"No. If you're interested and have the time, you're welcome to join."
"If it concerns anything related to printing, I would like to stay as well," said Giebe Haldenzel along with Wilfried. It didn't seem like there would be room for deeply personal topics, but there was no reason to refuse either. I agreed to everyone's attendance and turned back to Benno.
"Thanks to people borrowing and copying books at the Noble Academy, and to apprentice officials collecting stories from other domains, it seems we'll be able to distribute the printed versions of those starting next year at the Noble Academy."
"Starting from next year's Noble Academy session?"
I could sense various calculations firing rapidly inside Benno's head. I nodded.
"We'll likely start selling in the summer. The Holy Book picture books directly affect grades at the Noble Academy, so we won't be expanding those yet. Please prepare mainly knight stories and romance stories. Based on how well they were received at this year's Noble Academy, I felt we had good results."
Benno's reddish-brown eyes took on the gleam of a carnivore locking onto prey. The air tightened, and I couldn't help the corner of my lips curling upward at this exchange where he was eyeing profits as a merchant.
"The agreements regarding book sales will be discussed by the Aub at the lord's conference with Dunkelfelger, and based on those finalized terms, we'll proceed to establish contracts with other territories. Let's discuss what terms would be best before the lord's conference."
I couldn't leave it to my adoptive father's officials, who were unfamiliar with printing matters. We needed to determine the conditions and agreements to present to Dunkelfelger in advance and put together a draft.
"My Lady Rozemyne, will you be turning stories collected from other domains into books?"
At Giebe Haldenzel's question, I nodded emphatically.
"Yes. Almost all of Ehrenfest's knight stories are based on tales I collected from children in the Children's Room. And the children were delighted when their stories appeared in published books. If we're going to sell to other domains, I believe having stories related to those territories would be even more appealing."
"I see."
"So we'll need romance stories from other domains as well?" Giebe Haldenzel murmured. His stern expression didn't quite match the topic of romance stories, but he seemed to view them purely as merchandise for profit.
Giebe Haldenzel, who apparently had good communication with commoners as well, was immediately considering the implications for their printing operations. Giebe Gresschel, on the other hand, still didn't seem to fully understand. He simply sat there wearing a troubled expression.
"In Haldenzel, we're printing the books written by
I wanted to create a collection of Jürgenschmitt knight stories gathered from other domains, and I also wanted to print Roderich's Ditter stories. Right now, there were more stories than printing workshops could handle. If Gresschel took on a few, it would be a great help. When I said this, Giebe Gresschel looked up as if struck by a sudden realization and eagerly latched on.
"Also, My Lady Rozemyne. A report from Gutenberg. According to
What Zack had made was probably the mattress. I smiled softly at the thought of completing a comfortable bed.
"I'd like them placed in the Temple. We can discuss the details during the financial report."
"Understood. Lastly, regarding the merchant from Klassenberg who is staying with us for the year..."
Before I could even ask, Benno brought up the topic of Karin on his own.
"Her work as a daura has been outstanding. As expected of a merchant from a large territory, there are many admirable aspects, and we're considering incorporating some of them into our shop as well. Furthermore, through her accounts of the journey from Klassenberg to Ehrenfest, we've gathered information about other domains. I hope this will be useful to you, My Lady Rozemyne."
Mark smoothly produced a stack of papers, which Hartmut took. Though I merely skimmed through the documents Hartmut handed me, I could see they contained not just Plantane's own information but also data organized from the Guild Master and proprietors of major shops.
"That's very helpful, Benno. Aub Ehrenfest will be pleased as well."
With this many eyes watching, there was no way I could go any deeper into personal matters. I refrained from mentioning my relationship with Karin and simply accepted the documents.
"My Lady Rozemyne, you obtain information from commoners as well?"
Giebe Gresschel, who had been watching my exchange with Benno, blinked several times. Gresschel had a clear divide between the Noble District and the commoner quarters. He probably hadn't even considered that one could obtain information from commoners.
"Merchants have connections to all sorts of places, so there's quite a bit of useful information. There are many things you can learn that you simply can't get within the Noble District. Wilfried and Charlotte, you've both learned new things during the Blessing Ceremony and the Harvest Festival too, haven't you?"
I turned the topic to the two of them, who had more opportunities to venture outside the Noble District, and they both nodded.
"Yes. I realized there are so many things you simply can't understand without seeing them firsthand."
"When you pour your magic power in and receive the gratitude of the people, it makes you feel you must try harder and reminds you of the need to become a good lord," Wilfried said.
Giebe Haldenzel's eyes widened briefly at Wilfried's words, then softened into a gentle expression.
"Our magic power is what allows commoners to survive. But without commoners, we nobles would be in trouble as well. If you can act with that understanding and continue to exert effort, then Wilfried will surely become a good lord."
Wilfried, who was constantly badmouthed by Ehrenfest's nobles — called a lord candidate with a blemish, said to have been chosen as the next lord candidate only because of his engagement to me and not for his own merit — looked overjoyed to be recognized by Giebe Haldenzel as someone who "could become a good lord." He smiled proudly and nodded.
"I will do my utmost."
During the book sales that afternoon, my mother's romance stories proved overwhelmingly popular, selling far more than anything else. The next best seller was the Ehrenfest knight story printed at the Rozemyne Workshop. The former Veronica faction eagerly snapped those up.
I bought a copy as well. It wasn't for me.
"
I called out to Brother Lamprecht, who was serving as one of Wilfried's escort knights, and held out the book I had just purchased.
"What is it, My Lady Rozemyne?"
"Please give this to Aurelia. It's a token of gratitude for the story she told me."
It was the Ehrenfest knight story that Aurelia had shared with me during the dyeing competition. Since it was her story, I wanted her to enjoy it too. Brother Lamprecht accepted the book with a happy smile.
"I'm grateful. My wife loves reading your books, My Lady, so she'll be delighted."
At the edge of my vision, I noticed Damuel averting his gaze.
Rozemyne has steadily begun to take after the bad habits of her guardians.
Children never grow up the way you raise them.
Theodore has become a temporary guard knight.
And Benno, after a long time. Klassenberg intel — acquired.
Next up: the Banquet Celebrating Spring and Melchior's