While I was holed up in the workshop doing my preparatory studies as an apprentice archduke candidate, I was told about an upcoming schedule and blinked in surprise.
"Archduke
Was he not in such a desperate situation that he wanted to hand things over to the High Priest as quickly as possible? When I tilted my head in puzzlement, the High Priest made a sour face.
"Rosemine, we cannot say for certain whether Archduke Ahrensbach's health is truly poor."
"Huh?"
"I said it was information from
Apparently, the archduke's poor health—which could be connected to the succession—was not information to be shared. I was told that I must never ask
"Does that mean it's a closely guarded secret within Ahrensbach? Does the High Priest know what the information source is and is hiding it?"
"Because it's so absurd that it isn't worth trusting."
The High Priest gave a slight shrug with an expression that suggested he didn't trust the source much either. But even if the source was dubious, looking at the surrounding circumstances, it didn't seem entirely wrong.
"...But if there's a risk of him dying during the High Priest's betrothal period, doesn't that mean he must be quite ill?"
"Rosemine, death doesn't approach only through illness. One can feel mortal danger from other things as well."
The High Priest said only that much, but the answer I could imagine was too frightening, and I couldn't bring myself to ask any further. It seemed best to change the subject quickly.
"Changing the topic—so you and Lady Dietlinde will be able to marry?"
"What do you mean?"
"In the world of my memories, or rather, where I used to live, an uncle and his niece cannot marry."
"It's decided by law," I said, and the High Priest showed a bit of interest. So I went on to explain a bit about marriages between relatives.
"The laws differ by country, so perhaps it isn't strange for an uncle and niece to be unable to marry. But are there no marriage prohibitions in
In response to my question, the High Priest said, "It's not that there are none."
"Because the mother has a great influence on a child's magic power, the mother's bloodline is given great importance. The only reason I was able to marry is because my mother isn't
Whether they share the same mother or different mothers was said to be the major dividing line. With the same mother, even cousins could marry.
"If they have different mothers, even siblings can marry. That's the case with you and
"An adopted daughter and a half-sister are treated the same way..."
I felt the difference in common sense once again after a long time, and I blinked.
"From now on, it's going to be quite difficult to bridge these differences in common sense."
"Will you be telling someone? About me having memories of a different world?"
At my question, the High Priest pondered for a while, then slowly shook his head.
"With your image as the Saint of Ehrenfest already grown so large, it would be better not to spread such things. I can't even begin to predict how you'd be deified."
The Saint legend that had been convenient for making me the archduke's adopted daughter had now become nothing but dangerous, with the Central
"What should I do when I want to ask this kind of question from now on?"
I felt sure there would be many more times when I'd be troubled by not fitting in with the local common sense. At my words, the High Priest thought deeply for a moment, then headed toward the workshop shelves.
"Write a letter using this. An ink that only reacts to the creator's magic power should be able to cross the border gate without any problem."
Plunk—what was placed before my eyes was vanishing ink made with the High Priest's magic power. Ordnance could not cross a territory's border. Cross-territory correspondence was essentially done through magical tool letters. The letter birds were inspected once at the border gate, and if there were no problems, they were sent flying toward their recipient.
"Write the important things with this vanishing ink, and then write innocuous things over it with regular ink and send it off. That way, I'll also write a reply. With your ink."
"Secret letters, huh? ...Were Lady Georgine and the previous High Priest exchanging letters like this too?"
She hadn't been using vanishing ink, but considering the large bundles of letters, perhaps the previous High Priest really had been an important support for Georgine.
...She probably really resents me.
If I thought of the previous High Priest's position relative to Georgine as the same as the High Priest's position relative to me, then I, who had driven the previous High Priest to his death, must be intensely disliked and resented. And thinking that the High Priest might be resented in the same way, both Georgine's visit and the High Priest marrying into Ahrensbach felt truly terrifying.
"If the two of them are coming here, I suppose my studies will be on hold for a while."
"...Yes. My schedule will be packed with banquets, tea parties, and whatnot."
The High Priest muttered with distaste, as if wondering if there wasn't some way to send them back sooner. A fiancée who would be welcomed with such an attitude was pitiable, too. It wasn't as if Dietlinde herself had done anything to the High Priest.
"Please don't make such a glum face. Let's think about it more positively and enjoy it. For instance, wouldn't it be nice if Lady Dietlinde brought Ahrensbach's books? Or fish? You can make it fun by thinking of things like that. As for you, High Priest, why not think of her bringing rare research materials?"
At my suggestion, the High Priest let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
"You are too faithful to your own desires."
"I'm only thinking it in my head. It's a tip for keeping your spirits positive. It isn't as though I'm actually asking for anything, so what's the harm?"
If I actually made the request, I'd be terribly cheeky, but just thinking about it in my head and letting it lift my mood shouldn't bother anyone.
"If you put in a request, she might bring the books, and the fish too, for that matter."
"Really?!"
When I looked up at the High Priest with a start, he raised the corner of his lips with a grin.
"If you actually put in the request, you'd be thought of as impertinent, wouldn't you? Just hold back."
"That's so cruel—to give me hope and then tell me to hold back!"
When I protested, the High Priest snorted with amusement. Lately, I felt like I'd been a toy that the High Priest rolled around according to his mood.
"Ah, but if I'm allowed to make a request, what about asking for Raimunt to be included as an attendant?"
He'd be a good conversation topic for tea parties and banquets, and if Dietlinde happened to be someone I was awkward around, the High Priest could talk with Raimunt while Charloette and I chatted about hair ornaments and fashion.
"...Raimunt?"
"He's Professor
I wanted to succeed in my first interaction with Dietlinde while the High Priest was in a relatively good mood. This was important for the High Priest's comfort during his time in Ahrensbach. Caution was necessary, but so was making an effort to meet halfway.
"Rosemine, there are many things we need to investigate: how the old Veronica faction will grow more active, who is the central figure Georgine trusts most, and what her purpose is in returning to Ehrenfest. There is no leisure time to sit around chatting with Raimunt about research. While I'm occupied with Dietlinde, who knows how Georgine might scheme behind the scenes?"
The High Priest seemed to value Georgine more than Dietlinde, and that was probably not wrong. However, since the stated purpose was to "greet the fiancée and deepen their relationship," the person the High Priest had to deal with was Dietlinde.
"In that case, perhaps you should request cooperation from my adoptive mother and my mother from the very beginning."
"Cooperation?"
"Yes. Both Lady Georgine and Lady Dietlinde are women, so they'll likely attend women-only tea parties. The ones who can gather information at those events are women. My adoptive mother and my mother have been building their information network since the days when the Veronica faction was at its peak. The dismantling of the old Veronica faction is also going smoothly, so there's no need for Justus to go through the trouble of cross-dressing anymore—quality information will come in regardless. Why not coordinate with them about what kind of information you'd like gathered?"
For the High Priest's sake, my mother would eagerly go all out on intelligence gathering. Her skill at collecting information, especially romantic gossip, was truly impressive.
"...Request their cooperation."
The High Priest, who fundamentally preferred to handle everything himself and didn't trust others, rarely asked those around him for help. That was precisely why he'd be in trouble when, like this time, he had to deal with someone other than his target.
"I'm also busy with the handover preparations, so why not ask them to shorten their stay? And we should put in requests regarding the accompanying personnel. There's still time before the visit, so there's no need to just wait around idly. Negotiations with Ahrensbach will be getting busy."
"Meaning I have to do it."
When the High Priest glanced at my study situation—as if asking whether even more tasks would be added—I tilted my head.
"You don't have to do it yourself. Since it's a discussion between territories, why not submit the requests to my adoptive father and leave it to him? You should try to stay out of the castle's business as much as possible. This is also a form of handover, you know."
"...You really only pick up the bad habits of your guardians."
The High Priest said that with an exasperated look, but he still submitted requests to Ahrensbach through my adoptive father, asked for my adoptive mother's and my mother's cooperation, and dedicated his own time to my archduke candidate studies.
Before long, the lower city grew bustling with merchants from other territories, and the season of Star Binding arrived. Before the Star Binding, an emergency family meeting was called to discuss the annulment of
"Master, Lady
"Oh my! Angelica!"
With guidance from
After scribbling away for a while, my mother, who had been noting something down, suddenly looked up. Then she smiled brightly.
"I understand your heartrending feelings, Angelica, but love stories and reality are different things."
"Eh?"
"If you wait too long, it will become difficult to find a partner. You need to at least get engaged, or your parents will lose face."
My grandfather, who wanted to keep Angelica within the family, nodded several times. That was that, and this was this—immediately, the search for a new fiancé began. Angelica was a practice failure.
"
At my grandfather's words, Brother Lamprecht immediately shook his head.
"I appreciate the offer, but I cannot take a second wife while
Taking a second wife was typically done several years after marriage, and he didn't want to cause anxiety to a pregnant woman. Moreover, Aurelia was a bride received from Ahrensbach. He explained that he didn't want to unnecessarily provoke Ahrensbach by immediately taking a second wife.
"Then,
"I am already engaged to
Brother Cornelius also desperately appealed to Grandfather to avoid becoming Angelica's husband.
When Grandfather muttered, "
"I am fully aware that this is selfish, but there is only one thing I ask of my fiancé. I don't need him to be as strong as Lord Eckhart, but I want him to be at least as strong as Cornelius."
When Angelica said she didn't want a man weaker than herself, Grandfather clenched his fist tightly.
"Then we have no choice but to train Traugott."
"Sir
At my pragmatic mother's words, Grandfather furrowed his brow.
"If Traugott hasn't grown enough by the time Angelica is said to be past marriageable age, I or
"Grandfather, that's going way too far—even Father and your third wives are too much. Please think about Angelica's age."
I blurted that out without thinking, but Angelica looked happier than she ever had.
"If that's the case, then I have no complaints."
...Huh!? None at all!? Even Grandfather or Father would be fine!? Angelica's preferences were way too singular!
Whether it was Grandfather, Father, or even Traugott if he met the standard, Angelica apparently didn't mind. I wasn't the only one left speechless by Angelica's remark. My mother also held her head and put a big X through the tragic love story of Brother Eckhart and Angelica that she had been writing until moments ago.
"Then we'll consider Father as responsible for Angelica's situation. Do your best to train Traugott, Father."
My father quickly shut down the possibility of taking Angelica as his own wife and efficiently wrapped up the family meeting.
And just like that, the Star Binding ceremony arrived. After completing the lower city's ceremony, the High Priest and I moved our base to the castle. Until Georgine and Dietlinde's visit was over, we had no plans to return to the Temple.
The Star Binding ceremony in the Noble District also concluded without any particular issues. There was nothing noteworthy about the ceremony itself, but when the announcement was made that Georgine and Dietlinde would be arriving soon—because the High Priest had agreed to marry into Ahrensbach during the ceremony—it caused a commotion.
It had been reported at the post-lords' meeting report, so while it was common knowledge in the Noble District, many of the nobles gathered in Gyue hadn't heard about it. The old Veronica faction immediately grew lively, and the leadership quietly watched. They were observing who would show what kind of reaction.
"How wonderful!"
"That Lord
"How compassionate of Lady Georgine, to welcome someone who had joined the Temple as her son-in-law."
Envy of the High Priest's reverse-marriage-of-convenience, and joyful voices that the exchange with Ahrensbach was showing signs of revival. The High Priest watched all this with a forced smile. My mother was also wearing a lovely forced smile.
"Lady Georgine is truly skilled at stirring up Ehrenfest, so we must put in our best effort to welcome her. Requests from Lord Ferdinand are always enormous, but that's what makes them so rewarding."
My mother murmured about how it had been a lot of trouble when she'd been asked to take me in and raise me so I wouldn't disgrace the status of a high-born noble's daughter.
"I'm counting on both of you, my adoptive mother and my mother."
Realizing that there would be a battle between women that I was wholly unequipped to handle, I decided to leave everything fully in my adoptive mother's and my mother's hands.
"...You can leave Lady Georgine to us. However, Rosemine—you must stay close to Lord Ferdinand as much as possible. The more Lord Ferdinand responds with forced smiles, the greater the emotional distance between him and Lady Dietlinde will grow."
Since I already had a fiancé, it wouldn't cause any strange misunderstandings or jealousy for me to approach alongside Wilfried. In that sense, if Charloette got too close, it could become a source of misunderstanding.
"Charloette is better at reading the surrounding situation and smoothing things over in the moment, but Rosemine, who has known Lord Ferdinand longer, is better at reading his expressions and emotions."
I was told to follow up and support him well. Could I really support the High Priest? More likely, I'd just be a hindrance.
"This visit is also a formal proposal display for the nobles of Ehrenfest. Lady Dietlinde will likely have brought a proposal magic stone. Has Lord Ferdinand prepared a magic stone to return?"
At my mother's words, I felt the blood drain from my face. I had seen him preparing recovery medicine to bring to Ahrensbach and making protective magical tools in parallel with my studies, but I hadn't seen anything that looked like him preparing a proposal magic stone.
"...I don't think he has. He's been devoted to my studies and prioritizing the Temple's handover above all."
When Dietlinde presented her proposal magic stone, we couldn't very well say we weren't prepared. Their visit had been announced well in advance, and we'd been told the purpose was to greet the fiancée and build their relationship.
"Lord Ferdinand, have you prepared the proposal magic stone?"
I sent an ordnance to the High Priest. If he had, that was fine, and if not, he'd presumably start making one right away. That's what I thought as I sent it off, but I was stunned by his reply.
"I already have one. It's all-attribute, so it doesn't matter what the other party's element is."
Proposal magic stones were supposed to be made to match the other party's element. Making it all-attribute might not be a problem formally, but the insincerity of not even wanting to know about the other party was enough to make me want to hold my head.
"At least let's inquire with Ahrensbach about Dietlinde's element. This is beyond half-hearted! What if someone mistakes it for a proposal stone meant for another person?"
"I made it back in my Academy days, so it's not a mistake or anything of the sort."
His completely disinterested answer truly forced me to hold my head in my hands.
"Brünhilde, is this really acceptable?"
"W-well, it is all-attribute, so depending on the quality of the magic stone and the words engraved upon it, it might still please her."
Holding onto the slender hope in Brünhilde's words, I asked about the words engraved on the magic stone.
Apparently, to be usable anytime with anyone, the words inscribed were the most basic: "My heart is yours"—so simple that it didn't convey even a shred of love. Even Brünhilde couldn't manage a follow-up, her expression saying it all.
"Let's make a new one. This is just too much. No woman would be happy receiving this."
"It already exists, so what's the problem? It would be a waste of time to inquire and remake it. If you absolutely need a stone matched to Dietlinde's element, why don't you make it? You're practically family."
"I'm not the one who should be making it! I'm not the one getting married!"
"If you hand it over with a smile and sweet words, there shouldn't be a problem. Any further discussion is a waste of my time. I'm busy."
After that, I didn't even get a reply to my ordnance. He intended to go through with the all-attribute stone.
...This man is genuinely not suited for marriage! He's the worst candidate for a husband!
His attention was focused on Georgine and the old Veronica faction, and his handling of the very fiancée he was supposed to court was utterly careless. If this continued, Dietlinde's impression of the High Priest during her stay in Ehrenfest would become the absolute worst.
"To keep Lord Ferdinand's image from deteriorating, I must do everything I can to face Lady Dietlinde head-on. Brünhilde,
"As you command."
Honestly, I was also unfamiliar with this land's romantic customs and expressions. I needed people who could support me.
"Not just Brother Wilfried, but let's also invite Charloette and
That would be far better than creating a frigid atmosphere with just the two fiancées. I would ask the attendants of Wilfried and Charloette, who had attended tea parties with their cousins, about what sweets and topics Dietlinde liked, and request their cooperation.
The rooms for the guests were prepared, discussions were held about the menus for tea parties and banquets, the High Priest's meetings with the old Veronica faction increased, and the preparations steadily progressed.
Just past the height of summer, Georgine and Dietlinde's party arrived in Ehrenfest. Carriages arrived one after another, and their respective attendants emerged. Whether our request had been accepted, I could see Raimunt stepping down.
As boxes of gifts for Ehrenfest were carried in one after another by the servants, I watched from the window as two figures, draped in Ahrensbach veils, slowly descended from their carriage.
The formal greeting would take place at tonight's welcoming banquet.
...May this visit end peacefully.
The last time Georgine visited, it had seemed to end peacefully, but I remembered the incident at the White Tower involving Wilfried by the old Veronica faction that followed. Letting my guard down was the greatest enemy. I lightly slapped my cheeks to steel myself.
Eckhart and Angelica's engagement was formally annulled.
The Ehrenfest camp bustled about, preparing for the two visitors.
The apprentice archduke candidates would band together to support the High Priest.
Next, the High Priest's house visit.