"Did Brünhilde send the invitation?"
I had no idea why I was being invited to a tea party when I hadn't even informed anyone that I had finished the scholar course exam yet. I blinked in confusion, and Brünhilde let out a light sigh.
"It seems to be common knowledge among the professors that Lady
"…I suppose the professors really do share information with each other, more than I expected."
"As the proposer of several major joint research projects, Lady Rozemyne has become quite the center of attention among the professors."
They were apparently waiting with great anticipation to find out when the joint research would begin, how it would start, and who would be involved and how. And, naturally, that information flowed from the Central dormitory supervisors to the royal
"I believe Eglantine is hosting this book-lovers' tea party to gather all the library-related personnel in one place. It would be difficult to call both Librarians unless it's done before the number of library users increases, so she wants to hold it as soon as possible."
Gathering the library personnel meant they wanted to discuss the change in administration to Hannalore. It may have the trappings of a tea party, but in substance it was a summons from the royalty.
"Where will it be held?"
"It will be at Eglantine's detached palace. Since it's hosted by royalty, they wouldn't use the library's office, and considering the number of attendees, the library office wouldn't be large enough, I imagine."
Brünhilde smiled wryly, adding, "Besides, you'd have to be Lady Rozemyne to think of holding a tea party in the library office," before telling me the expected attendees.
"First, the Librarians
Three royals, each bringing a retinue of attendants — when I considered that, it really did seem impossible to host a tea party in the library office.
…I suppose the same thing happened when they were changing Schwartz and the others' administrator.
"Wait, Prince Anastasius will be there too? He's been too busy to attend the
It almost felt like Eglantine was being surrounded, like an Evil-Looking Eye closing in — probably because I still had the strong impression of the music professors' tea party crash.
…Even so, since they're married, he doesn't need to hover around Eglantine so much. He could just sit back and relax.
Then again, according to Professor
"Lady Hannalore has also been invited, and since it is a tea party hosted by royalty, I really can't afford to miss it."
She had looked worried when I was explaining the situation to Eglantine as well. I couldn't very well leave Hannalore alone after she'd been thrust into an unexpected change of roles due to insufficient communication. Even so, I couldn't help but feel melancholy about being summoned by royalty when I had been trying to keep my distance. As I let my shoulders slump and sigh, Brünhilde gave a soft laugh.
"Please don't make such a gloomy face, Lady Rozemyne. It seems Prince Anastasius is lending books from the Royal Library specifically for this book-lovers' tea party."
…Books from the Royal Library!? Oh no, I'm excited!
I clasped my hands together and looked up at Brünhilde with a smile. I was fairly confident it was the best smile I had managed all day.
"Prince Anastasius really is Eglantine's husband, isn't he? I think he's a wonderful person!"
"I'm glad to hear you're positive about attending. Which books will you prepare, Lady Rozemyne? You'll be lending some from your side as well, I presume?"
"I suppose it should be Mother's romance novel? Since Eglantine showed interest in it."
Even if it was a summons from royalty, the prospect of exchanging books had me in high spirits. While I began selecting books and my guard knights started discussing who would accompany me, Brünhilde worked out measures to prevent me from getting so excited at the royal tea party that I might collapse.
After reporting to Ehrenfest that we had received a tea party invitation from royalty, deciding on what sweets and books to bring, and passing time in Professor Hirschur's research room, the day of the book-lovers' tea party arrived before I knew it. Afternoon tea parties are usually held at the fifth bell, but I had been told to come at the fourth and a half bell.
I walked through the quiet corridors — it was the time when lectures had begun — and headed to Eglantine's detached palace.
"We have been expecting you, Lady Rozemyne."
Even though this was supposed to be Eglantine's detached palace, it was Anastasius's head attendant
In the room I was shown into, only Anastasius, Eglantine, and their attendants were present. The other guests had not yet arrived.
After exchanging lengthy pleasantries, I directed my gaze toward the entrance. Even after the greetings were over, no one else appeared. While watching the attendants handle the sweets and books they had brought in, I looked around the room with growing unease.
"…It seems I've arrived too early."
"No, I had something to discuss with you, so I simply had you called early."
Anastasius told me to take a seat, so I sat down. The mere fact that royalty wanted to speak with me filled me with a sense of foreboding. It would be nice to get through this without having to listen, but that probably wasn't possible. Taking a deep breath, I flashed a bright smile.
"What is it you wanted to discuss with me?"
"You've been making quite a splash lately."
…Had I? Ever since I reduced my Magic Power compression, I'd been able to control my Magic Power properly…
Getting a sharp glare, I wracked my brain trying to figure out what action of mine could be described as "making a splash." Anastasius's information source was Eglantine. If that was the case, it had to be about something involving Eglantine.
"…Oh! You must be talking about the time I accidentally made the magic stones glow during the dedication dance practice?"
That was admittedly a somewhat flashy bit of behavior. I clapped my hands together in sudden realization, and Anastasius's cheek twitched.
"That's not it. It's about the joint research you're conducting with three territories — Dunkelfelger,
"Eh? I hardly think joint research can be called a 'flashy move.' Ehrenfest simply couldn't refuse."
At my words, Eglantine smiled gently.
"Lady Rozemyne, would you mind telling us why you couldn't refuse?"
"Yes. The Dunkelfelger research came from a directive by Prince Anastasius, the invitation from the greater territory of Drewanchel was hard to refuse given our territorial ranking, and the benefits to us were substantial, so we accepted."
"And Ahrensbach?"
When Anastasius pressed me on this, I faltered for a moment.
"The joint research with Ahrensbach was tied to my passing the scholar course."
"What do you mean?"
"You are no doubt aware that I have been singled out by Professor Fraurem. Since the scholar course involves individual exams, there are opportunities for sabotage as well."
"Oh my," Eglantine said with a slight widening of her eyes, while Anastasius protested indignantly, "I received no such report."
"But there's no real problem. It has been resolved in exchange for the joint research. If they try something similar next year, I will consult with you then. It doesn't really matter to me since I originally intended to research the Magical Tools in the library anyway. …Besides, didn't I already make a promise with you, Prince Anastasius?"
Eglantine tilted her head and asked, "What kind of promise?" while Anastasius narrowed his eyes as if searching his memory and said, "Did I make a promise with you?"
"I promised before — that I would produce a surprising research project for the next interterritorial tournament. …I never expected things to turn out this way, so I'm surprised at myself, but were you surprised too, Prince Anastasius?"
As I explained the contents of our promise, Anastasius's face twisted into the bitter expression of someone who had just taken one of
"…Ah, just thinking about it gives me a headache. That's how surprised I was."
"That's good, then. At least I won't be breaking a promise to royalty."
When I let out a small laugh, Eglantine giggled as well. "To think that Lady Rozemyne and Anastasius had made such a promise. You two really do get along."
"We don't get along. I simply told her to produce something of value outside of Hirschur's sphere."
Anastasius snorted and shot me a glare. I understood he was sulking because Eglantine had said "you really do get along," but being glared at didn't help me any.
"So, Ehrenfest is conducting joint research with three greater territories, but do you have no plans for joint research with
At Anastasius's question, I turned my gaze to Eglantine, who hailed from Klassenberg. Considering balance, it might be a good idea to also conduct joint research with Klassenberg. But honestly, we were already stretched to our limits.
"We haven't received an invitation from Klassenberg the way we did from Drewanchel, nor do we have any content that necessitates joint research the way we do with Dunkelfelger. Besides, unlike with Ahrensbach, there's no pre-existing research we were already working on together, so there are no particular plans. I know this isn't something one should say to royalty, but another reason is simply that we don't have enough scholar apprentices to allocate to additional research."
It wasn't that we had no scholar apprentices at all, but the number who had the practical skills grades and Magic Power to participate in joint research with greater territories was limited.
"I see…"
Anastasius nodded slightly. By saying "I know this isn't something one should say to royalty" while giving such an honest answer, he was essentially requesting that I make sure no invitation came from Klassenberg.
"I've roughly grasped Ehrenfest's approach to joint research. If you're running three research projects simultaneously, you'd best be careful not to fail. Highly valuable research is easily stolen. Always assume you're being targeted."
I nodded with a solemn expression, grateful for the advice, though I didn't think anyone actually wanted to steal our research.
First, even if someone took the research on the relationship between praying to the gods and their divine blessings, it would be meaningless without the accompanying act of praying to the gods. What mattered was one's own actions.
Second, even if someone took the research on adding value to Ehrenfest's specialty products, it wouldn't hurt us at all. If someone wanted to conduct research even at the cost of antagonizing Drewanchel, I would actually look forward to the presentation of results.
And third, the research on reproducing the library's Magical Tools using Laiment's low-Magic-Power approach had an obviously lower contribution to the Central Territory compared to the others, so I couldn't imagine anyone would want to join. Though, if by some miracle someone passed Ferdinand's stringent screening and became his apprentice, and they were brimming with enthusiasm to work together to build a better library, I would welcome them with open arms.
…I mean, it'd be a lot of effort to steal, only to be disappointed.
As I was thinking this, Anastasius cleared his throat and glared at me. "Are you listening?" I had already learned that honestly answering "I wasn't listening" here would only make him angry. So I simply smiled without saying a word.
"It's about your blessing. …It was you who sent that blessing at our graduation ceremony, wasn't it?"
"…What… what are you talking about…?"
The sudden change of topic — and to one that was extremely unwelcome for me — made my heart jump. Anastasius looked at me, flashed an unnecessarily beautiful smile, and continued.
"The blessing that fell from seemingly nowhere upon our entrance caused some to argue that it proved I, rather than my brother, was the rightful heir to the throne. Are you aware of this?"
"Ugh…"
His words carried absolute certainty. While I was wrestling with whether to play dumb, Anastasius explained just how much of a ripple my blessing had caused in the Central Territory.
"My attendants, who had supposedly already resigned themselves to me never ascending to the throne, began excitedly proclaiming that I was the one truly fit to be the next King. My brother's attendants, meanwhile, flew into a fury insisting that Eglantine should be reclaimed as the next King's bride, rendering his declaration of stepping aside completely moot. It took tremendous effort from Father, my brother, and me alike to settle that matter."
Hearing about the massive upheaval that had occurred among the royals, I felt utterly mortified as the one responsible and wanted nothing more than to flee the scene. Of course, that was impossible.
Watching me quietly panic inside, Anastasius suddenly adopted a serious expression.
"Therefore, I would like you to serve as the High Priest for the star-binding ceremony between my brother and
"What?"
"I would also like to make this request, Lady Rozemyne. We want you to give a true blessing to the next King and his bride."
Anastasius remarked that since I could apparently dump an entire song's worth of blessing during music practicals, I must be quite gifted at granting blessings. I found myself at a loss for words. I had been told to keep my distance from the royals as much as possible, and I had no desire to provoke the High Priest of the Central
"…Is this a royal order?"
"No, this is a personal request from me. I want you to bless my brother so that no one can raise objections to his becoming the next King. Even once he's designated, my brother will be in a difficult position. …Do you understand why?"
…Because he doesn't have the
The answer came to me immediately. But I wasn't sure whether it was appropriate to say it aloud. I could feel Anastasius's grey eyes probing my reaction, and my throat began to sting.
"During last year's interterritorial tournament, we were ambushed. You must have heard what they said at the time?"
"They called him a false King who does not possess the Grutrissheit."
Anastasius slowly nodded at my answer.
"Yes, that's right. The civil war began when the Second Prince, who had inherited the Grutrissheit, was killed — and at the same time, the Grutrissheit was lost. They searched everywhere — the Second Prince's detached palace, the location of his murder, the Royal Academy, the mansions of major nobles who had dealings with him — but the Grutrissheit was never found. It still hasn't been found. Therefore, Father is a King without the Grutrissheit."
I nodded slowly to show that I was following along. But I had no idea where this conversation was heading. It felt like we were getting into something quite deep. I had the uneasy sensation of being slowly drawn into deeper and deeper waters.
"Without the Grutrissheit, even a King cannot use magic for affairs of state. Even if he simply pours Magic Power into the nation ceaselessly, he can only maintain the status quo. But if no one pours Magic Power into the nation as King,
It was like hearing about an Aub who had to govern a territory without the foundational magic. Having attended the Lord Candidate lectures, I understood just how difficult that was.
"Do you have any idea how many people went into a frenzy over the blessing that fell without warning into that situation?"
I pressed my lips together tightly.
"When a dispute threatened to erupt once again over Eglantine, my brother's own attendants told them that my marriage to Eglantine was already decided, and they congratulated us. That is why I want, at the very least, to reduce the noise around my brother. I want the Saint of Ehrenfest, who has received many divine blessings, to bestow her blessing at the star-binding ceremony."
Anastasius's feelings for his family pressed close upon my heart. If the trouble that had arisen was because of my blessing, then I felt I needed to take responsibility. And there was one more thing — a selfish motive that perhaps I could also witness the star-binding ceremony between Ferdinand and Ditrinde.
"Please ask the Aub of Ehrenfest and the King for permission. If an exception can be made to allow my guard knights on the platform for my own safety, I would be willing to accept this request from Prince Anastasius, who cares so deeply about his brother."
"…Thank you."
Anastasius let out a breath of relief. Eglantine, sitting beside him, was smiling warmly with genuine happiness.
At that moment, Oswin arrived to announce a visitor. It seemed Hannalore had arrived.
"I truly apologize, even though it was due to ignorance…"
"There's no need for your apology, Hannalore."
As soon as the greetings were finished, Hannalore began offering her apologies, but Anastasius cut her off.
"Eglantine already told you, didn't she? That it was the library's responsibility for failing to communicate. I share that understanding."
Hannalore placed a hand over her chest with visible relief.
"Rather, I have called all of you here today because I need the cooperation of you Library Committee members."
"Cooperation?"
Hannalore's eyes went wide. She had come expecting to be scolded, only to be asked for her help. She was surely surprised.
…I understand, I understand. A request from royalty is hard on the heart.
Even as I thought that, my gaze was drawn to the books Hannalore was having her scholar apprentices carry. The large, thick volumes of Dunkelfelger were being brought in.
…I wonder what books they've brought this time. I'm excited.
"Rozemyne, you may be looking at this as if it were someone else's problem, but I'll need your cooperation as well."
"Eh? But… I was told by Solange not to approach the library until Schwartz and the others' administration has stabilized under Professor Ortensia…"
"That's a separate matter entirely."
After saying that, Anastasius looked down at me and let out a soft laugh.
"I've had books brought from the Royal Library to ensure the eager cooperation of these book-loving Library Committee members. I'd like your willing help."
"Leave it to me! I'll cooperate as much as I possibly can!"
Having been told never to refuse a request from royalty, I readily agreed with a smile. Hannalore nodded as well, saying, "If it's a request from the royalty…"
"What would you have us do?"
"It concerns the unopened archives that Hildbrand brought back. Surely you understand how important that information is to the royals?"
He had just spent ages telling me about all the problems caused by not having the Grutrissheit. I could see how desperately the royals wanted the Grutrissheit. Even the kind of rumors spreading through the Royal Academy must have made them desperate to grasp at any straw.
…I said I'd cooperate as much as possible. Oh no, did I speak too soon!?
Whether I spoke too soon or not, if it was an order from the royals, there was no escaping it. I couldn't help but clutch my head.
Before I could even get to the book-lovers' tea party, I had been summoned by Anastasius.
The prince who was always clutching his head over Eglantine's reports — talking to him directly had only made my head hurt even more.
Next up: the book-lovers' tea party.