No sooner had I returned to the castle than the feast celebrating spring was upon us. Winter's social season was over, and everyone was returning to their respective domains, bringing everyday life back from spring onward.
"Your Ladyship, might this outfit not suit you well?"
"Since it is the feast celebrating spring, this green one would surely be preferable, don't you think?"
The moment I stepped back into my room in the castle, the attendants had already laid out two outfits they'd apparently selected and were pressing me to choose. I looked back and forth between the outfits that Richarda and
...I really don't care either way.
Slightly intimidated by the glint in both their eyes, Liesereta smoothly produced a hair ornament from the side. It was the newest hair ornament I'd purchased from Turi, along with
"Lady
"Yes, I'll use the new one."
Seeing me nod, Liesereta smiled sweetly at Richarda and Brunhilde while holding the hair ornament.
"If we're matching to this hair ornament, then I believe the outfit
"You're right. Since the hair ornament is decided, please select an outfit to match it."
Once the outfit was decided, permission was also sought for shoes and accessories one after another. I simply watched as everyone laid things out and gave my approval. Basically, I left it all up to them.
"Lady Rozemyne, what was decided in your meeting with the merchants?"
"Here are the minutes from the meeting with the merchants. Aside from the special skill business, it might be best to follow the Guild's lead. They've organized everything quite thoroughly."
"The special skill is a no-go?"
Hartmut murmured that it seemed rather convenient, and I shook my head.
"Hartmut, you're out."
"Why is that?"
"Because it wouldn't suit you. Eustachius has androgynous features and is somewhat petite and slender, but Hartmut, aren't you rather tall? And you have broad shoulders. Besides, you're still growing, aren't you?"
Hartmut had grown a bit over the winter too. He'd probably keep growing. There was no way he'd end up with a build suited for cross-dressing, no matter how you looked at it.
"Cross-dressing isn't something you can do easily. Eustachius is a devoted enthusiast who has researched and refined his hobby for years, perfecting everything from voice and speech to mannerisms. A half-hearted attempt would just come across as creepy."
The Chief Priest might not mind having an attendant with cross-dressing tendencies, but I certainly would.
Hartmut was already plenty strange enough, what with trying to inflate the Saint's legend and making my research his life's work. I didn't need any more of that.
"If Hartmut ever attempted cross-dressing, I would dismiss him, you know."
"Being dismissed would be a problem."
Hartmut's shoulders drooped as he gave up on cross-dressing, and I let out a sigh of relief. Behind me, Ottilie and Richarda wore matching expressions of relief.
Since everyone was busy with their own tasks, I decided to get started on what I needed to do. As I'd promised
I was reviewing the manuscripts of the reference books that had been copied at the
"Lady Rozemyne, an invitation to a tea party from Lady Charlotte has arrived. She asks if tomorrow afternoon would be suitable."
"I don't have any particular plans, do I? If there are no objections, I'll attend."
There shouldn't have been any plans before the feast celebrating spring. At my words, Liesereta smiled and said, "Lady Charlotte has been eagerly awaiting your return, Lady Rozemyne, so she will be delighted. Let us respond immediately."
Bringing along sweets as a gift, the tea party began in a pleasant atmosphere.
"I'd like to settle how we'll divide the duties for the Dedication Ritual. The preparations will vary depending on that."
The first topic of discussion was the Dedication Ritual. Charlotte and Wilfried would be helping again this year, it seemed, and we spread out a map while discussing the division of responsibilities.
Since blue-robed Priests carried small Holy Cups to the territories governed by Giebes, the four of us only needed to cover the direct territory during the ritual. If we split it four ways, the range would be very small indeed. Perhaps this year's Dedication Ritual would be over quite quickly.
"Once I finish the Dedication Ritual in the direct territory, I'm planning to take the
"The people of Hasse adored you very much, Sister. The people at the small
"I agree. Rozemyne, you take the east."
We agreed that Charlotte would handle the south of the direct territory, Wilfried the west, and the Chief Priest the north. Once we obtained permission from the Chief Priest, it would become official.
"Even so, are you really sure you want to help with the Dedication Ritual? The two of you must have your own preparations to worry about."
"I've already had my outfit for the Dedication Ritual made, so please don't worry about it."
By last year, Charlotte could no longer fit into outfits sized for me, and it seemed that once she decided to help, she had an outfit made for the Dedication Ritual. Brother Wilfried had apparently had his made even earlier.
"Rozemyne's outfit had flowers embroidered on it, so once I was told to attend the autumn Harvest Festival after the Dedication Ritual, I had mine made right away."
My blue ritual outfit had flowing water patterns and flower embroidery. No matter how much they adjusted the length, Wilfried would still be dissatisfied. The Dedication Ritual was one thing, but it wasn't the kind of outfit you'd want to wear again and again after that.
"The journey will be tough too, but will you be all right?"
"The worst part of the journey for religious events is that medicine. It restores Magic Power and stamina, but it tastes absolutely terrible."
Wilfried said this with a deeply disgusted expression. Charlotte also nodded in agreement with a look that said words couldn't do it justice.
"Yes. I heard from the Temple attendants that you also drank that medicine and went through the Dedication Ritual and Harvest Festival, Sister. You were already frail, yet you drank that medicine, performed religious rites repeatedly, and poured Magic Power into everything for Ehrenfest—I thought you were less a Saint and more a Goddess herself. The taste of that medicine must linger for a while after drinking it, no matter what you eat? When I first drank it, I thought my uncle was trying to torment me."
Charlotte let out a long breath and shook her head slowly.
The Temple attendant who had accompanied Charlotte must have been
"It wasn't a torment. The medicine the two of you drank was a distillation of Lord
"That was a distillation of care and kindness?"
When they looked at me with their cheeks twitching, I smiled and nodded. "The original concentration tasted even worse. The effects aren't even comparable," and they stared at me with newfound respect.
"Say, Sister. Is it true that you're getting engaged to our brother? I was so surprised when Father mentioned it at dinner the other day."
When Charlotte asked me that, I nodded.
"The Aub Ehrenfest wouldn't say something like that as a joke, would he? It's true. He said it's the best choice for the duchy."
To unite the factions within the territory, to secure the Library, and to ensure I could get my hands on books made in Ehrenfest—it was indeed the best choice.
Charlotte's expression clouded slightly as she quietly picked up her teacup.
"...I was surprised because I'd heard you would be on my side, Sister."
"I am your big sister, Charlotte. I'll always be on your side."
When I puffed out my chest and told her to rely on me, Charlotte let out a resigned sigh with an expression that seemed to say "I can't help it" or "So that's how it is." Then she glanced at Wilfried before fixing her gaze on me.
"I'm really worried about you, Sister."
...Huh? I just said it was okay to rely on me, so why is she worried?
"About the engagement too—aren't you being deceived by Father and our brother? Even if they promise to buy you books, you mustn't be swayed by that."
I couldn't very well tell Charlotte, who looked so worried that I'd been swayed by books, that I'd been promised a Library.
I tried to laugh it off, but before I could, Wilfried shot Charlotte a sharp look.
"Charlotte, I'm not deceiving Rozemyne. I only heard about this myself the other day. Rozemyne said you were on her side, Charlotte, so I was just as surprised. I never imagined she'd agree to an engagement with me."
Listening to the two of them, I finally realized what "on my side" meant. Each of them had apparently been showing support for the other as the next Lord candidate.
"So, Brother Wilfried, you consented to becoming engaged to me?"
"Yes. Siblings, spouses—they're all family. That's what everyone said. If things aren't going to be much different from how they are now, then so be it. ...Besides, things seem to be quite different depending on whether you're around or not."
He added that last part while looking at Charlotte with a somewhat sheepish expression.
I'd heard from the Chief Priest that a faction centered on the Liesegang family was pushing to elevate me to next Lord candidate. If the upper noble with the largest territory in Ehrenfest was making moves, Wilfried's retainers had to know about it.
It wasn't Wilfried himself who was trying to avoid a factional split, unite Ehrenfest, and fill the stain on Wilfried's reputation by arranging an engagement with me—it was those around him.
"If Brother Wilfried considered it carefully and decided for himself, rather than simply going along with others, then I think that's fine."
"Are you fine with it?"
"Of course."
The day after the tea party where I'd heard Wilfried's and Charlotte's words about the engagement, the feast celebrating spring was held. This feast marked the end of winter's social season, so it was essentially a gathering where every single noble was present.
The Chief Priest had told me to arrive at the venue as late as possible, so I waited in the room nearest to the Great Hall with Wilfried and Charlotte for a while before entering on Richarda's signal. Each of us brought our own retainers, so we formed quite a large group.
The nobles in the Great Hall already had their positions roughly decided. Upper nobles gathered in the front near the stage, while lower nobles clustered in the back near the entrances. Making our way through the crowd, we walked in a line toward the front row.
Filine had always been in the back until now, but since she'd become my attendant, she was coming to the front surrounded by upper nobles for the first time. She was trying to hold her head up and maintain a dignified composure, but her face was stiff and I could see her legs trembling.
Daumel, also a lower noble, smiled wryly at Filine's nervous state and shifted his position slightly, making it harder for the surrounding nobles to see Filine. Come to think of it, Brigette had done the same thing to reduce the stares directed at Daumel.
"I went through the same experience, so I understand, but there's nothing to do but get used to it."
"...I'll do my best."
At Daumel's words, Filine turned around as if startled, then smiled with a hint of relief.
...Good, good. It makes me happy that everyone working together gets along so well.
Amid the murmuring atmosphere of nobles approaching to offer greetings, the Lord and Lady entered.
My adoptive father stood on the dais and surveyed the entire Great Hall before speaking.
"In the pure flow of the Water Goddess
With those words from my adoptive father, the feast celebrating spring began.
"First, we shall announce this year's top-performing students. Five students, a remarkable number, achieved excellent results."
An exclamation of admiration rose, followed by applause.
It seemed I was the only one who'd earned the top distinction, but Wilfried,
"Well done, Rozemyne. This is a commemorative gift. I hope it will serve you well in the future."
I received the commemorative gift from my smiling adoptive father. It was a rather large magic stone. As I looked at it with awe, I could see the others receiving similar magic stones.
"It is truly gratifying to see so many high achievers among those who will carry Ehrenfest forward. May you all strive together and achieve even greater results."
The announcement of top performers closed with those words.
Returning to my original position, I surveyed the lineup of high achievers and let out a sigh of admiration.
"...My attendants are quite impressive, aren't they?"
"They have no choice but to be impressive."
Brother Cornelius shrugged with an exasperated look.
As my Lord, I was always the first to finish lectures and head to the library. The guard knights and scholars had to take turns following me whenever they were free. If the library could be finished in a single day, there'd be no need for such desperation, but since I spent the entire time at the Royal Academy cooped up in the library, my attendants had no choice but to work hard to finish their lectures as quickly as possible.
"Since Lady Rozemyne is so accomplished, having attendants who aren't would invite talk from those around us," Hartmut said with narrowed eyes. Leonore also smiled and added, "Balance is important, after all."
"This year, the Academic Improvement Committee deepened the bonds within each course and made it easier to ask questions, which helped."
"...Come to think of it, is it the Knight Course that wins the committee's prize?"
I'd promised to give the quatre-quarts recipe to both the team whose members all passed their exams the fastest and the team that produced the most high achievers.
The fastest to finish lectures was undoubtedly the first-years, and the course that produced the most high achievers was also the first-years since I'd earned the top distinction. In second place was the Knight Course.
"The Knight Course should be fine, shouldn't it? The Scholar Course will win next year. We already have the reference materials prepared."
When Hartmut said this to me with a composed expression, I pouted in displeasure.
"Oh, Hartmut. The second-years' materials for next year are also already prepared. It wouldn't do to have people think it's an easy win."
"That's right. The preparation was insufficient this year, but next year the Attendant Course will show what it can do. Preparing thoroughly is something attendants excel at."
Brunhilde of the Attendant Course, which hadn't produced a single high achiever this year, was fired up for next year.
"I hate to dampen your enthusiasm, but the Knight Course will win again next year. The apprentice guard knights serving Lord Wilfried will begin Magic Power compression and receive special training from my grandfather. And above all,
When Brother Cornelius looked smug, Hartmut muttered with a straight face, "Angelica's graduation is a real blow." Come to think of it, it might have been Hartmut who had suggested handicapping the Knight Course by removing Stilul from Angelica.
"I'm looking forward to next year. Fufufu."
As a result of this exchange, the quatre-quarts recipe from the Academic Improvement Committee was distributed to the first-years and the Knight Course.
After the high achievers were announced, Ehrenfest's results at the Royal Academy were presented. It was said that in the duchy's Ditter rankings, they'd placed 11th. Considering they'd previously been 14th, it was fair to say they'd grown considerably.
"
The research presentation was
As for hospitality, it was reported that hair ornaments, linshan, and quatre-quarts were becoming trends in the Royal Academy, and that lords from other duchies had been reaching out about trade.
The attendants' conduct had apparently received a decent evaluation. Since in previous years the evaluators had been few, they said there was room for further improvement going forward.
Ehrenfest's overall ranking would be revealed at the Lord's Conference.
"This year, Ehrenfest has originated a number of trends. We intend to gradually expand into printing as well, so we seek your cooperation in that regard."
Finally, the newly graduated adults were introduced, and their assignments—working not as apprentices but as full-fledged retainers—were announced. Angelica also took the stage, and it was announced that she had become my guard knight.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall relaxed as it seemed the feast celebrating spring was drawing to a close, but then my adoptive father raised his voice: "I have a momentous announcement regarding the future of Ehrenfest."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the Great Hall, and at the same time, my adoptive father on the dais raised his hand and gestured for me and Wilfried to come up.
"Let's go, Rozemyne."
Escorted by Wilfried, I slowly climbed onto the stage. Amid the attention focused on us, wondering what this was about, I surveyed the gathered nobles from the top of the dais.
Grandfather looked somewhat frightening. He was gritting his teeth with a strained expression, barely holding it together. Mother's eyes were shining, giving her a festive appearance. She was surely already composing a romance novel about me and Wilfried in her head.
The Chief Priest wore his usual expressionless face, quietly surveying the surroundings. Eustachius and Brother
The man Brother Eckhart was watching warily was someone else entirely. Judging from his clothing, I thought he might be some Giebe.
...Who is that?
Just as I squinted to get a better look, my adoptive father's resounding voice echoed through the Great Hall.
"Under the guidance of the Supreme Gods who govern the vast and lofty heavens, the married Gods of Darkness and Light, the threads spun by the Goddess of Time, Dreifangure, have now intertwined here and now. We offer prayers and gratitude for the meeting of our children Wilfried and Rozemyne, and bestow upon them divine blessing."
The standard words for an engagement announcement.
For the majority of the nobles, this must have been an unexpected announcement, because the entire Great Hall erupted in murmurs at once. Looking around at each other, their faces full of shock, they stared at me and Wilfried standing side by side—their stunned expressions were visible even from the dais.
Scanning the hall, very few people were raising their voices in joy. "Why!?" could be heard from various corners.
Count Liesegang's eyes were wide, and Viscountess Daldorf was covering her mouth.
The man Brother Eckhart had been watching was the only one amid the general astonishment whose expression barely changed. It was strikingly noticeable. For just an instant, I thought our eyes met.
"The engagement will receive formal approval from the King at the Lord's Conference. That is all."
Having cast ripples of shock through the assembled nobles, the feast celebrating spring came to an end.
Winter was finally over. Spring was here.
A new season had begun with the announcement of my engagement.
But getting engaged didn't mean it was the start of a season of love. How sad.
Next time: the meeting with the scholars.