Return to the Royal Academy

After my meeting with Gatebe Haldenzel, I spent my days attending meetings with nobles selected by the High Priest and Richelda for the winter social season, gathering information at my mother's faction's tea parties, and writing down stories I remembered in order to create romance novels that my mother and the others would enjoy.

Yesterday, Charlotte and I headed to the Children's Room, where I discussed first-year studies with Moritz. I also arranged to incorporate geography and history lessons into the winter Children's Room curriculum, and handed over the reference materials I had compiled for this year's first-years.

Since lower-ranking nobles had always struggled with those subjects due to their lack of opportunities to view maps and timelines, I had asked Moritz to please use these materials to teach them. I believed that even a small amount of prior knowledge would make attending lectures much easier.

"Lady Rozemyne, you have a meeting scheduled with the Aub Ehrenfest this afternoon."

Richelda told me this after I had finished breakfast. It was rare for a meeting to be scheduled on the same day in the afternoon.

"That's quite sudden."

"Indeed. A report arrived first thing this morning from Wilfried, and he said he wished to hear your opinion."

Something must have happened at the Royal Academy. I accepted the afternoon meeting and began writing the continuation of a romance novel that I thought my mother would enjoy.

When afternoon came and I headed to my adoptive father's office after lunch, the High Priest was there too, reading what appeared to be a report on a wooden tablet.

"A report from Wilfried?"

"Ah, yes. Rather than a report, it's more of a plea for Rozemyne to come back."

The High Priest handed me the report he had finished reading after my adoptive father held it out, so I read through it as well.

It seemed that most of Ehrenfest's students had finished their lectures, and the Royal Academy had fully entered its social season. There were many inquiries about trends, and the number of tea party invitations had nearly doubled compared to last year. As expected, women were drawn to hair ornaments and rinde, and Wilfried and his attendants were apparently quite uncomfortable being surrounded by women at tea parties.

"If it's a tea party with mostly women, couldn't Brünhilde or Lieseleta be sent instead? Why does Wilfried have to attend?"

"...If the invitations were issued with you in mind but addressed to an Archduke Candidate, then Wilfried is the only one who can go."

"I see. Wilfried has it tough too."

Since tea parties inevitably had a majority of female attendees, if I had been at the Royal Academy, it would have meant that only I was receiving all those invitations. The order to return to Ehrenfest may have been a blessing in that regard. But that meant Wilfried was bearing the burden, so all I could do was ask him to do his best.

"This next report is about Ditter."

The wooden tablet the High Priest passed along detailed how Dunkelfelger had issued a challenge for a rematch, and since they couldn't refuse, it had been accepted. Although the rematch had taken place, without my stratagem and with their main forces—Angelica and Cornelius—absent, they had suffered a crushing defeat in the blink of an eye.

Apparently, Lufen had looked terribly disappointed after the match and asked, "When is Lady Rozemyne coming back?"

...Lufen-sensei has definitely forgotten that I'm not actually an apprentice knight, hasn't he?

It also seemed that the cousin meeting between Ahrensbach and Frebelterug had concluded as well. During the cousin meeting, they had been peppered with questions about why Ehrenfest's grades had improved so dramatically, why Lamproht had refused the marriage, and about the new trends.

"Spring's Archduke Conference is going to be rough."

"...Indeed. We need to keep a close watch on Ahrensbach's movements and how the former Veronica faction responds."

Additionally, Rudiger of Frebelterug had subtly and indirectly inquired about whether I had a fiancé, and Wilfried himself had apparently been questioned by Dietlinde about his own engagement. Wilfried had deflected the question, saying it would be clear by the time the Archduke Conference arrived.

"...Could this possibly mean a marriage proposal is coming from Frebelterug to me?"

This might be the first proposal I'd received, counting both my current life and my time in Mestionora's realm. Ohhh, I was genuinely moved as I re-read the wooden tablet several times, until the High Priest let out a sigh and took the tablet from me.

"This is obviously a proposal aimed at your magic power. What's there to be happy about?"

"How large is Frebelterug's Library's collection, I wonder?...N-No, it's not that I want to accept the proposal or anything. I'm just confirming. Do they have more than Ehrenfest?"

I was purely curious about the collection size. And the catalog, too, I added, at which the High Priest glared at me with deep suspicion.

"The difference is small enough that you could easily flip it around once you start printing."

"Is that so? Then, Father. Since there were no auspicious circumstances, please decline the proposal should one arrive."

"...Rozemyne, when a proposal comes, there are many other things you should be asking about! You can't just judge by collection size!"

When my adoptive father furrowed his brow, the High Priest snorted with a "What's the point now?" It was a bit irritating, but he was right. What could possibly be more important than a Library's collection? No, nothing at all.

"Besides, rather than worrying about Frebelterug's proposal, these are the items you should be looking at."

The High Priest pointed to a section of the report and showed it to me.

Anastasius had sent a prompt asking "Are you not coming back yet?", and Eglantine had apparently proposed hosting a tea party to introduce me to her friends.

"...I'd really rather pretend I didn't see this."

Anastasius's request certainly wasn't about me—he was waiting for the hair ornament and the new song. And Eglantine's friend tea party would inevitably gather ladies from higher-ranked territories. I was already said to lack any social sensibility, and I had no desire to push myself into a situation where I was even more likely to fail.

My adoptive father caught my muttered "I'd really rather just leave everything to Wilfried from here on out" and nodded slightly in agreement.

"I understand the feeling, but since you've been personally invited, Rozemyne must attend. You've already declined three times while being absent. At the very least, you need to communicate the date of your return—otherwise it'll be too much for Wilfried. Ferdinand, when do you plan to send Rozemyne back?"

At my adoptive father's words, the High Priest tapped his temple lightly.

"The next Earthday. The information gathering here is nearly complete, so there should be some leeway by then."

"Leeway for what?"

"Justus."

"...Excuse me?"

I couldn't see the connection between my return to the Royal Academy and Justus. I tilted my head up to look at the High Priest, and my father, who had been standing behind my adoptive father, let out a quiet breath.

"Justus has been assigned as an attendant to Traugott."

"...Traugott's attendant? He already had other attendants, didn't he? And before that, is the High Priest really willing to lend out Justus?"

He had told me he wouldn't lend him to me, so I glared, and the High Priest glared right back, saying, "That's half your fault." My father stepped in between our glares and looked down at me with a troubled expression.

"Rozemyne, Traugott's resignation was essentially a forced removal, wasn't it?"

According to my father, when I had moved to the temple for the Dedication Ritual, Richelda—who had gained some time off as a result—had been furious and rushed to Traugott's parents. She had berated them, then declared it a matter of great importance to the family, summoned my father as Knight Commander and my grandfather, and held a family conference about Traugott's situation.

"Father was furious after hearing Richelda's account... When Traugott returned after finishing his lectures the other day, he was scolded quite severely."

"...I chose resignation over dismissal to minimize the impact on others."

"Compared to dismissal, the surface-level impact is smaller, but not entirely absent."

My father said this while gently patting my head.

"Besides, Rozemyne, didn't you say it yourself? Don't send him to the temple. Have the family deal with it. As the family's conclusion, Traugott will be assigned a family member as his attendant, and he will be taught from the ground up the proper attitude of serving the Archdukal family."

"...But Justus is a scholar, isn't he? Can he do the work of an attendant?"

Scholars and attendants required different skills. I knew Justus was capable as a scholar—he enjoyed information gathering and could bring in all manner of information—but could he handle the work of an attendant, caring for and looking after a master?

When I tilted my head in doubt, my adoptive father grinned and shifted his gaze to the High Priest.

"Of course he can. Justus was the attendant Ferdinand took to the Royal Academy, after all."

"He was!?"

I looked up at the High Priest in surprise, and he nodded. "That's right."

"I only use him as a scholar now, but Justus is also my attendant. Richelda told me to take him on as an attendant apprentice, and he apparently enrolled in scholar apprentice lectures at the Royal Academy out of his own interest. It was Justus who told me he could take multiple lecture tracks simultaneously."

...So Justus was the mastermind behind the High Priest legend.

"Justus will serve a combined role: re-educating Traugott, monitoring you, reporting to me, and gathering information. If I don't keep a close eye on him, the problem is he'll only focus on information gathering, but this time Richelda will be accompanying you to the Royal Academy, so it should be fine."

"He'll be awfully busy. But could he also handle the training of scholar apprentices at the same time?"

"Training scholar apprentices?"

My adoptive father raised his eyebrows slightly. I nodded slowly.

"This is about me training scholars who will be involved in the printing and papermaking industries. I'll be selecting the lower and intermediate scholars who will actually interact with commoners, but we'll need a senior noble scholar who can oversee them, won't we? I was thinking of training scholars from the apprentice retinue—myself, Wilfried, and Charlotte. Since this will be a new enterprise for Ehrenfest, wouldn't it be better for not just me, but the future ruler to be involved?"

Since we didn't know who that would be yet, I added that I'd also like to include Melchior's scholars once he completed his Baptism Ceremony, and my adoptive father granted permission with "That's a good idea." Then he lowered his eyes in thought for a moment.

"But if we're training at the Royal Academy, we'll only have apprentices. I think we'd need at least one more adult senior scholar for it to hold together. Is there anyone among the senior noble scholars who could understand your intentions and coordinate with the nobility?"

When my adoptive father turned his gaze to the High Priest, the latter muttered, "Understanding Rozemyne's intentions is the hardest part of all," letting his eyes drift off.

After a brief silence, my father clapped his hands together.

"...What about Elvira? If the main role is to serve as a go-between between Rozemyne and the senior nobility, I think she'd be well suited."

"When Rozemyne was asleep, Elvira showed tremendous interest in the printing industry and took the initiative to bring Haldenzel into it. Compared to other scholars, she'd have more knowledge. She's well suited."

The High Priest's endorsement piled on, and my adoptive father's eyes lit up.

"Shall I make an inquiry?"

"She was making books on her own, so this should be a field of interest, and her children are grown, so returning to scholarly work shouldn't be a problem."

From everyone's input, the conversation began moving toward assigning my mother to oversee the printing and papermaking industries. I knew my mother was an excellent scholar, so having her work in that capacity would be reassuring, yet in a way, it also made me uneasy.

...If Mother takes charge, it's going to become less of a printing industry and more of a 'High Priest's Book-Making Squad'... Oh well.

The one who had proposed it was my father, the one who endorsed it was the High Priest, and the one who gave permission was my adoptive father. I'd let Mother have free rein.

"Given Justus's personality, I have some concerns about his ability to train scholar apprentices, but you're right that now is the only window when I can lend him for your printing-related scholars. I'll include it in his job description."

As a result of these discussions, I would be returning to the Royal Academy on the next Earthday. The High Priest went back to the temple and resumed his work, but I was told to remain at the castle a while longer to become more accustomed to social engagements.

...Even though they say "to become accustomed to social engagements," there aren't any meetings with nobles without the High Priest, and my mother's tea parties seem to have settled down.

I spent the days until my departure for the Royal Academy attending the winter Children's Room, embroidering with Charlotte, and otherwise passing the time.

"Only three more days. Once you return to the Royal Academy, Sister, it will be lonely again."

"It won't be such a long absence next time, Charlotte."

After one week for the tea parties and two weeks at most for the interterritorial tournament and graduation ceremony, the first-year term at the Royal Academy would end.

"I'll raise Ehrenfest's ranking as much as I can, for Charlotte's sake next year."

"Sister, please prioritize resting your body. And if you're going to do this for my sake, please leave some opportunities for me to shine as well."

Charlotte puffed out her cheeks, saying that her brother and sister would take all the spotlight. Apparently, if this year's grades improved too much, it would make the bar too high for Charlotte when she entered.

...So creating opportunities to shine for Charlotte's sake, huh? I'd never really thought about that before.

Midway through embroidery practice with Charlotte, an ordens arrived. It delivered the same message three times in the High Priest's voice.

"The Gilberta Company has finished that hair ornament. They want your opinion first. I've told them to bring it tomorrow afternoon, so come back to the temple as well."

...I can see Turi!

I lightly tapped the ordens—which had returned to its yellow magic stone form—with my staff, trying to suppress the eagerness in my voice as much as possible, and said "Understood," before letting it fly off.

Otlilie, who had been listening to the ordens's message, sent word to Ela in the kitchen to prepare for the return to the temple, and Richelda swiftly began making preparations to go back, starting with cold-weather gear.

"If it's the Gilberta Company's hair ornament, why not just have them bring it to the castle?"

Richelda was displeased at the idea of the lady fetching something herself, but I didn't think Turi could easily come up to the castle yet. It wasn't the Gilberta Company I wanted to see—it was Turi.

"It's a hair ornament commissioned by me from the royal family. Before showing it to the Aub Ehrenfest, I should take a look first so that any problems can be fixed immediately."

"You take on too much work, my lady."

"Indeed. Sister, you're still not feeling well, are you?"

Charlotte stopped her embroidery, handed her tools to an attendant, and gave me a light, reproachful glare.

"Thank you for worrying, Charlotte, Richelda. I'll check the hair ornament and return to the castle tomorrow. I have to go back to the Royal Academy on Earthday, after all. Richelda, please take care of the preparations. There are lots of belongings entrusted to me by Ferdinand, right? ...Probably even more by the time I return to the temple."

There were certainly large quantities of documents and magical tools being prepared to deliver to Hirschur.

Perhaps remembering the loads the High Priest had previously brought to the castle, Richelda gave a slight shrug.

"Of course. I'll make the preparations."

I headed for the entrance with my guard knights. Norbert, who had apparently been informed by Richelda, was already preparing for our departure.

I glanced around at the faces of my guard knights.

"Cornelius, Leonore, we'll be returning to the Royal Academy on Earthday, so please have your preparations in order."

"Understood, Lady Rozemyne."

I was led by Damuel and Angelica as we returned to the temple.

I had finally gotten the chance to see Turi, yet somehow the High Priest was accompanying us. Was it because this was a royal commission and he couldn't leave it to me alone?

...I finally get to see Turi, and the High Priest has to be a third wheel.

I was worried that Turi would be intimidated by the High Priest's expressionless, stern manner of speaking. I resolved to act as a sturdy breakwater between them. With that determination in my heart, I did my best to glare at the High Priest—who was squinting pleasantly over the tea Fran had prepared in the orphanage director's room—with a fearsome expression.

"...What is with that dissatisfied look?"

"I am dissatisfied, but this is the face of someone harboring a great resolve."

"All I sense is wariness and hostility. How many times have I told you to control your emotions more?"

He pinched my cheek hard, and my attempt at a fearsome expression immediately evaporated, reduced to a half-crying grimace. Unlike Benno, the High Priest showed no mercy, so it genuinely hurt.

Holding my cheek to prevent any further pinching, I heard Gil's voice announce their arrival from the first floor. Footsteps climbed the stairs, drawing steadily closer.

"It is a pleasure to see you looking so well, Lady Rozemyne."

Turi, who arrived together with Otto and Corina, was twelve years old but had matured to a startling degree. Her hair color and braids were the same as before, but wearing the Gilberta Company's apprentice uniform and walking with quiet composure, none of the energetic girl who used to race through the forest remained.

She had always been well-developed, but during the two years I had been asleep, her limbs had grown long and slender, and the curve of her chest was now visible. There were traces of her former features, but the childishness was gone and she now resembled our mother. Her bearing, her speech, the respect she showed to nobles—there was none of the Turi I had known.

Shocked by the two-year gap that was suddenly thrust upon me, Turi looked up at me and narrowed her blue eyes with a look of fond, joyful nostalgia. The love that filled her eyes eloquently said "It's been a while. I missed you," and the familiarity of it dissolved the stiffness in my body in an instant.

"This is the item that was commissioned."

At Otto's voice, Turi carefully opened the wooden box. The way her fingers handled the product—gently, precisely—had changed from two years ago. The movements were now practiced and assured.

"...It's beautiful."

Surrounded by small white flowers, a warm red Chalereise—the precious color of Geduldh, the Earth Goddess—gave the impression of spring's arrival, with young green leaves flowing like vines around it. Even the thread work showed ingenuity, with petals tracing elegant curves.

It was unquestionably the finest work among all of Turi's creations to date, and I could easily imagine how it would look adorning Eglantine. It would surely suit her golden hair wonderfully.

"Ah, this should be no problem at all. Well done, Gilberta Company."

The High Priest, who had been peeking into the box, narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and nodded. A look of relief and contentment spread across Turi's face.

"It's a wonderful piece. I'm sure she'll be delighted. You've improved tremendously. I'm impressed."

"Thank you very much. Also, I would like to present this to Lady Rozemyne."

It appeared to be a hair ornament she had made during my slumber, intended for spring. I decided to purchase it immediately.

"Will you put it on for me?"

Turi nodded at my words, gently removed the hair ornament I was currently wearing, and fastened the new one in place. She smoothed the slightly disheveled hair that hung over my shoulders with her fingertips, letting it flow down my back.

"How does it look?"

"Since I made this hair ornament specifically for you, Lady Rozemyne, it looks absolutely wonderful on you."

Her calm expression held a glint of playful mischief in her eyes. I met Turi's gaze and we smiled at each other. The High Priest watched our exchange in silence, his expression unreadable.

"Well then, I'll be going."

"If Rozemyne looks like she's about to go on a rampage, stop her with everything you've got."

"Understood."

The guard knights, addressed with those parting words, departed for the Royal Academy ahead of me, and Richelda and I made our way to the teleportation circle.

The hair ornament for Eglantine, the song dedicated to the Goddess of Light, rinde samples portioned out for trial use, souvenirs for Hirschur—the load for this trip was enormous.

"We'll also be going to observe the interterritorial tournament. Moderation in everything. Don't overdo it. Understood?"

"I understand. Next year, I should leave some room so Charlotte can have opportunities to shine, right?"

"Rozemyne!?"

My adoptive father's eyes went wide and he blurted out in a startled voice.

"You're on Charlotte's side!?"

"...I don't really follow. But of course I'm on Charlotte's side? I'm Charlotte's big sister."

I puffed out my chest with a "Hmm-hmm," and my adoptive father somehow ended up holding his head in his hands. The High Priest patted the groaning man's shoulder lightly and offered what was hardly comforting words: "There's no use thinking about it. Rozemyne isn't thinking about anything at all."

"How rude. I am most certainly thinking about things. I'm going to be a wonderful big sister for Charlotte."

"Ah, I know. Just do your best for Charlotte. Stop thinking about unnecessary things. Also, I've told Justus to gather information. I want him to accompany you to tea parties as much as possible."

The tea parties where Hartmut and the other male scholars could be brought along were few and far between. Secret girls' talk often made tea parties off-limits to men.

"...Justus accompanying me to tea parties? That means..."

"...Don't say it. That's exactly it."

He was apparently telling me to dress Justus as a woman and bring him along. It wasn't Traugott—if I was the one walking around with Justus, people wouldn't call Traugott the one with a cross-dressing habit; they'd call me that.

"With Hirschur-sensei, with Justus—won't people think Ehrenfest is just a gathering of oddballs? They might think I'm one of them too. Is that really okay?"

"...Maybe it's a blessing that you're unaware."

"Huh?"

The High Priest told me it was no issue at all and waved me off with a "Go quickly."

I stepped onto the teleportation circle and stood beside Richelda. I felt the magic power activate beneath me.

The tasks are done. It's time to return to the Royal Academy.

Justus will be... active? Maybe?