The Outfit Change for Schwartz and Weiss

"Afternoon classes have begun, hasn't it? We should be heading out soon. We'll move quietly so as not to cause any trouble."

"I understand."

Today, an outfit change was scheduled to take place in the library. The plan was to move once afternoon classes had started and there were fewer people around. This was to prevent drawing any attention. The girls who would be accompanying us all happily picked up boxes filled with outfits and accessories and set off.

The only males joining us were Hartmut, who had been personally ordered by the Chief Priest to report on what happened, and my bodyguard, Cornelius. The companions Charlotte had selected were all girls.

"I'll grant permission for you all to touch Schwartz and Weiss inside the room only, so please help them change."

At my words, the girls' faces lit up with delight. While they were trying not to show it too openly, Lieserata, who would periodically compose her face after letting it crumble into a grin, seemed the happiest of all.

"Lieserata really does love Schmuel, doesn't she?"

When Judith teased her about it, Lieserata—who normally kept her private feelings hidden while working—seemed to feel that her inexperience had been pointed out. She glanced at me once, as if concerned about my reaction, then murmured softly, "Isn't he adorable?" before bashfully lowering her flushed cheeks.

"Since Lieserata is so fond of Schmuel, the outfit was completed. I'm truly grateful for that."

"Lady Rozemyne."

Walking gracefully as befitting a noble lady, once we arrived at the library, the door to the reading room opened and Schwartz and Weiss popped their heads out.

"Hime-sama. Came."

"Today. Changing."

Schwartz and Weiss walked over with their heads swaying gently from side to side, and Solange followed behind at a leisurely pace. Seeing not only my attendants but also Charlotte and her attendants, she chuckled softly.

"My, quite the entourage today. Well then, let me show you to the dressing area right away."

Solange took the lead and walked into the back of the office. There was a reception space where students came and went to register and hold tea parties, and beyond that were Solange's desk and a locked bookshelf, along with a door connecting to the reading room. Further back was a folding screen, and today she guided us behind it.

…I thought there was a private space with beds or something back here, but I guess not.

The layout was almost identical to my room, and the first time I came, I had seen Schwartz and Weiss sitting side by side on a long sofa, so I had assumed there must be private spaces with beds and such. But that wasn't the case. It was simply a small lounge area with a long sofa—not Solange's living quarters.

"Please have Schwartz and Weiss change here. The registration work was already completed during the lunch break."

"Of course."

Cornelius, an apprentice bodyguard, and Leonore stood in front of the folding screen, while Judith and Charlotte's bodyguard would keep watch inside the changing area.

Lieserata began giving instructions, and as the boxes were lined up, Brunhilde and the others opened them one after another and began checking to make sure nothing was forgotten. As lord candidates, Charlotte and I couldn't assist with the work, so we simply watched as the preparations came together.

"That reminds me, Professor Solange—where do you live? Dormitory supervisors each have a room in their respective dorms, and depending on the subject taught, there are also rooms in the specialized buildings, right?"

I knew that the professors each had rooms in their specialized buildings—Hirschur had been living in her research room in the Scholars' Building and not returning home. Professors who weren't dormitory supervisors only had their rooms in the specialized buildings.

"My—well, strictly speaking, the Librarian's private quarters are behind that door."

Solange pointed to a door that was completely hidden behind the folding screen.

"It's just like a dormitory. The first floor has a dining hall, the second floor has the men's rooms, and the third floor has the women's rooms."

The Librarian's living space was inside the library. Being able to live inside the library—I was so envious of Solange. I wanted a room here for myself as well.

"I'll be returning to the reading room now. Lady Rozemyne, I'll leave the changing of Schwartz and Weiss in your capable hands."

Seeing that preparations for the outfit change were complete, Solange turned on her heel. After seeing her off, I surveyed the girls who were waiting in readiness, then turned my gaze to Schwartz and Weiss.

"Schwartz, Weiss. You're going to be changed into new outfits now. The people in this room will be helping with that. I'm granting permission to everyone here to touch you until the changing is finished."

At my words, Schwartz and Weiss slowly moved their faces, as if recognizing the people in the room.

"Everyone. Here."

"Permission. Given."

"Then, everyone. Please go ahead and change Schwartz and Weiss's outfits. Charlotte, it's fine for you to touch them too."

"Yes, Big Sis."

Charlotte's indigo eyes sparkled as she joined the circle for the changing. The ones dressing Schwartz and Weiss would be people other than me. I wouldn't be doing it—not because I was slacking off, but because it was better for me not to touch them carelessly.

…Because if I touch them, the magic circles will light up.

No matter how much the embroidery hid them, if they glowed, people would notice. Charlotte and my attendants, who had embroidered together, knew the shape and placement of the magic circles, but it would be better to keep them a secret from the other students for as long as possible.

"Schwartz, I'm going to undo your buttons now."

"Weiss, please raise your arm."

With cheerful voices, they touched Schwartz and Weiss as they removed their outfits. After Charlotte reached out and touched Schwartz, she broke into a beaming smile that was truly endearing.

"Lady Rozemyne, Professor Solange is here."

Leonore, who had been standing by the folding screen, came over and spoke to me in a whisper. I averted my gaze from Schwartz and Weiss and headed toward the screen with Leonore. Solange was walking over with an extremely troubled expression on her face.

"Professor Solange, what's wrong?"

"Prince Hildebrand has come to see Schwartz and Weiss."

"What?"

At the unexpected encounter with royalty, the words "forcibly sent back" that the Chief Priest had told me last night flashed through my mind.

…You're supposed to be staying in your room so the students don't find you, Your Highness! You shouldn't be wandering around!

"I explained that they were in the middle of changing into new outfits, but…"

Apparently Hildebrand said he would wait until it was finished, but his attendant scholars had shown interest. They reportedly wanted to see the outfits we had collected that were to be handed in for magic stones.

Hildebrand's attendants were central high-ranking nobles, and for Solange, they were essentially her superiors. Moreover, high-ranking nobles close to royalty sometimes held higher standing than lord candidates like me. They couldn't simply be turned away.

If we had done the changing quietly in the dormitory, we could have blocked the central scholars from entering. But since this involved a royal's Magical Tool and was being conducted in the library managed by royalty, it was difficult to refuse.

This year, having the outfit change in the library had backfired.

"…You may come in, of course."

"I appreciate your courtesy."

Solange let out a visible sigh of relief and immediately turned toward the reading room. Cornelius and Leonore's expressions grew tense.

"Prince Hildebrand and his attendants will be arriving shortly. They wish to see Schwartz and Weiss."

A murmur rippled through the room. The warm, harmonious atmosphere froze in an instant, and everyone knelt. Since there had been no expectation of royalty arriving, the shift in mood was only natural.

Led by Solange, Hildebrand and his attendants entered shortly after. Hildebrand took his time surveying the office as he followed behind Solange. He seemed to want to look at more things but was restraining his curiosity. Considering he was a boy who had just recently completed his Baptism Ceremony, his manners were remarkably good. Comparing him to Wilfried, who had only just finished his own Baptism, I silently let out an impressed sigh.

…So this is what a truly well-mannered prince looks like.

When Hildebrand saw that everyone had stopped and knelt, he halted and waved his hand lightly. "Please continue." As everyone resumed their activities, Hildebrand broke away from the group and came over to where I was standing.

Our eye levels were nearly the same, and I could tell our heights weren't that different. Trying to preserve the pride of being the older one, I straightened my back as much as possible and even tried rising slightly onto my toes, but my calves started trembling. I couldn't keep it up for long, so I silently lowered my heels, feeling a bit deflated.

…I'm only slightly taller than a boy who just had his Baptism Ceremony this year. Better than being shorter, though.

"The other day, when I visited the library, Weiss gave me a guided tour and was very adorable, so I came to see them again today. But I was surprised to find them absent from the reading room. So Schwartz and Weiss undergo outfit changes like this?"

"I was told that when their master changes, they must be given new outfits, so I had them commissioned. Schwartz and Weiss aren't just adorable—they're incredibly capable and hardworking."

I told Hildebrand about how impressive Schwartz and Weiss were as he watched their changing with fascination. They didn't just lend out books and manage the cart—they remembered everyone with overdue books and everyone who had removed books from the premises. They were Magical Tools essential to the management of the library.

"I've heard that Schwartz and Weiss were created by a princess of the old royal family, but even the professors at the Royal Academy don't know how they were made. One can't help but be moved by the brilliance of the royalty. I wonder if the Royal Palace Library has records from the era when Schwartz and Weiss were created?"

As I asked excitedly, Hildebrand tilted his head slightly, then looked up at one of his attendants as if seeking an answer.

"Regrettably, we have not encountered such materials in any area of the Royal Palace Library that we are permitted to access."

…The Royal Palace Library! What a wonderful-sounding name!

At the attendant's answer, I felt my eyes light up. A new library was filled with encounters with new books. Just as I was about to ask the attendant who seemed knowledgeable about the Royal Palace Library even more questions, Leonore gently tugged at my sleeve. When I turned to look at her, Leonore was smiling with a slight smirk.

…I should stop talking, shouldn't I?

I remembered being warned that I tended to run wild when the topic turned to libraries, and I fell silent. It was a precious opportunity to get information about the Royal Palace Library, but if I ended up offending the royal, I might be banned from entering altogether.

…I need to be careful here. Just as Charlotte said, I should gradually steer the conversation toward libraries from a common topic. A common topic? What do we have?

Hmm. As I was deep in thought, Hildebrand timidly posed a question.

"Um, I've heard that Rozemyne of Ehrenfest has a fiancé, but does Charlotte not have one?"

…The common topic is Charlotte?

At the suddenly tossed topic of Charlotte, my eyes went wide. After blinking several times, I slowly shook my head.

"She does not. I believe there will likely be proposals during the Interdomain Tournament or the Lord's Meeting… fairly soon, I'd imagine."

Adolphine of Drewanchel had been looking at Charlotte with exactly that kind of gaze—the look of someone scheming to gain advantage for Drewanchel by marrying off Ortwin and Charlotte. I had received several such proposals at the Interdomain Tournament and Lord's Meeting myself, so I imagined Charlotte would receive even more.

At my words, Hildebrand opened his bright purple eyes wide, then slowly lowered them.

"You do think younger people are unreliable, then?"

…Huh? Prince Hildebrand—could it be that he's interested in Charlotte? What do I do—I don't know what kind of men Charlotte likes!

Thinking desperately that I didn't want this kind of difficult question thrown at me, I hurried to find a safe answer.

"Whether someone is reliable or not isn't determined by age alone, so I really can't say…"

"I see."

Hildebrand looked so disappointed that I thought maybe I should at least ask Charlotte about it.

"If it's really weighing on your mind, would you like me to go ask her directly?"

"…What?"

Hildebrand stared at me with a blank expression, then hurriedly looked back and forth between Charlotte, who was standing by Schwartz and Weiss, and me.

"No, it's fine. I just had a small doubt, that's all. I'd appreciate it if this conversation remained confidential. If my idle curiosity causes confusion among those around you, that would be troublesome."

"Of course. Understood."

If it became known that a royal proposal might be coming, Ehrenfest would be thrown into a uproar. It wasn't even decided yet—Hildebrand had merely been curious about something—and if word spread, it would only cause unnecessary confusion.

…I'll keep quiet until Prince Hildebrand's feelings are somewhat settled.

"Thank you for waiting, Prince Hildebrand, Big Sis. How do they look?"

Charlotte approached me with Schwartz and Weiss in tow.

Since this was the Royal Academy, the outfits had a black base. They started from the image of a maid and butler, but looking at the outfits Schwartz and Weiss were wearing, almost none of that initial image remained.

Schwartz's shirt was white, but since he was wearing a vest, only the white of the sleeves was visible. The vest was covered in intricate magic circles, and elaborate embroidery had been added to disguise them. The hem of his trousers also featured colorful flower and leaf embroidery, making Lieserata's enthusiasm quite apparent. The ribbon tie, made from dyed fabric, was also cute. The matching flower ornament on the chest—the same one Weiss wore—had been included because my suggestion had been adopted.

Weiss wore a dress, but the hem featured the same flower and leaf embroidery as Schwartz's outfit. Weiss's apron was covered in intricate embroidery, with the original white fabric only visible at the fluttery parts on the shoulders. A tie-dyed ribbon and flower ornament adorned her neckline. Apparently they had originally wanted to add decorations near the ears as well, but gave up because they would get in the way of Weiss's ear movements.

"Hime-sama. Do we look good?"

"Praise us, Hime-sama."

"Schwartz and Weiss, you both look absolutely adorable. Everyone's hard work has produced wonderful outfits."

When I praised not only Schwartz and Weiss but everyone involved, Hildebrand's eyes crinkled with a gentle smile as well.

"I'm delighted to have been shown such splendid creations."

I picked up the previous outfits that Schwartz and Weiss had been wearing and held them out to Hildebrand.

"These are the outfits Schwartz and Weiss wore until now. The magic circle is completed when the buttons are fastened, so please be careful not to button them up. Magic Power will flow through the magic circle and activate the protective barriers."

Hildebrand's attendant nodded and took the outfits, examining them closely.

"Does the new Ehrenfest outfit use the same magic circle?"

"No. Lord Ferdinand has been making improvements. I'm not well-versed in magic circles, so I'd suggest asking Professor Hirschur, who is Lord Ferdinand's mentor."

"I appreciate your honesty."

I wasn't going to answer things I didn't understand. I had been told to pass off questions about Magical Tools and magic circles to Hirschur and Leimont as much as possible. Just as the Chief Priest had instructed, I gave my answer and then beckoned to Schwartz and Weiss.

"Let me supply you with Magic Power."

I reached out to the magic stones on Schwartz and Weiss's foreheads, gently stroking them as I channeled Magic Power into them. Schwartz and Weiss softly closed their eyes, looking comfortable.

"Oh, how adorable!"

Hildebrand reached out his hand from the side. "You mustn't touch!" I tried to stop him quickly, but I wasn't fast enough.

The instant Hildebrand's fingertips made contact, a crackling sound rang out and a brief flash of static-like light appeared. Hildebrand yelped "Whoa!?" and clutched his fingertip while his bodyguard reached for their staff.

"Only those registered as their master, or those granted permission by the master, may touch Schwartz and Weiss. …Doesn't Prince Hildebrand have Magical Tools around him that function the same way?"

If this was the Royal Palace, there must have been far more Magical Tools than I knew about, with clear distinctions between who could and couldn't use them. At my words, one of Hildebrand's attendants let out a soft sigh.

"The Magical Tools in the Royal Palace are all touchable from the moment one is registered as a member of the royal family. There were no Magical Tools in Prince Hildebrand's vicinity that he could not touch."

"So I can't touch Schwartz and Weiss?"

Hildebrand's shoulders drooped, and one of his attendants turned to face me.

"This Magical Tool is a royal relic. In that case, rather than Lady Rozemyne, who has been provisionally designated as master, shouldn't Prince Hildebrand be managing them?"

Being told to cede the position of master to Hildebrand, I nodded immediately—unlike during last year's Retainer Tournament.

"Since they are royal Magical Tools, I have no objections as long as Schwartz and Weiss can function smoothly in the library. I believe it would be preferable for royalty to manage them. During the spring through autumn months when I'm away from the Royal Academy, Prince Hildebrand could come to supply Magic Power. You wouldn't need to prepare magic stones or Magic Power, which would be a great help."

If Schwartz and Weiss weren't there, Solange would be in trouble, so I was only providing Magic Power. If someone else could take over, that would be better. The attendant who had made the proposal seemed surprised that I agreed so readily.

At the same time, the scholars who had been examining Schwartz and Weiss's outfits frowned.

"You speak lightly of providing Magic Power as master, but wouldn't it be rather demanding for Prince Hildebrand, who has only just completed his Baptism Ceremony? We believe the burden on his body would be quite significant."

As the attendants expressed concern for Hildebrand's Magic Power capacity and physical condition, I laid out my other worries as well. If these were scholars knowledgeable about magic circles and Magical Tools, they should be able to make a judgment.

"There are other concerns as well. Prince Hildebrand can only act during times when students aren't present—can he reliably provide Magic Power under those constraints? And if we fully transfer the role of master, new outfits would be needed again—do you have the manpower and materials?"

The Chief Priest had told me he'd used up quite a hoarded supply of rare materials. The central region might not have that problem, but this embroidery was a time-consuming, massive undertaking. The scholar who had been tracing the embroidery with their finger averted their gaze, as if trying to dodge the question. It didn't seem like something they wanted to take on.

"Also, this is the most important thing…"

I turned to face the bewildered Hildebrand.

"Prince Hildebrand, you would need to be prepared."

"Prepared?"

As Hildebrand tilted his head, I nodded firmly and asked seriously.

"Yes. Once you're registered as the master of Schwartz and Weiss, you will be called 'Hime-sama.'"

"What?"

"Even for a man, you'd be called 'Hime-sama.' The previous male Librarians were called that as well."

Some boys at this age could easily pass for girls. Hildebrand had refined features and a gentle aura, so depending on the outfit, he could probably look like a girl too. And such a boy would be called "Hime-sama." He might end up looking like he was cross-dressing. There was a real possibility it could bruise his pride as a young man.

"Are you prepared to be called 'Hime-sama' for the rest of your life, Prince Hildebrand?"

"I'm a boy. I don't want to be called Hime-sama."

Hildebrand shook his head vigorously, insisting "Absolutely not." Perhaps he had some unpleasant memories of being mistaken for a girl.

"Then instead of registering you as master, let's register you as a Magic Power supply collaborator. That way, you'll be called by your name and can touch Schwartz and Weiss. You wouldn't even need to visit the library regularly."

"That would be much better. Please."

Hildebrand's face lit up at my suggestion. His attendants agreed as well, granting permission since the burden would be lighter.

"However, we would need the attributes of Darkness and Light. Would that be alright?"

"Yes!"

And so, Hildebrand was registered as a collaborator for Magic Power, and the library gained one additional committee member.

Watching Hildebrand leave in high spirits, having had his fill of petting Schwartz and Weiss, I let out a sigh of relief that I had managed to navigate this encounter without offending a member of the royal family.

"…Big Sis, your social dealings are so bewildering that I couldn't even find an opening to stop you."

Charlotte murmured dejectedly that she had wanted to halt the contact with royalty but couldn't find the right moment.

"Let's hurry back to the dormitory. Something else is bound to happen at this rate."

Charlotte urged everyone along as she spoke. The girls who had come to help with the outfit change all looked thoroughly drained from the experience of meeting royalty.

As we headed back to our room with the exhausted group, I suddenly remembered something and asked Charlotte.

"Charlotte?"

"Yes, Big Sis?"

"How do you feel about younger men? Do you find them… unreliable?"

Charlotte looked at me, and as if coming to understand something, she gently closed her eyes and let out a soft breath.

"Whether someone is reliable depends on the person, but I do think older people tend to be more dependable. After all, I am quite the big brother's girl."

…Oh dear, how unfortunate. Rejected, Prince.

I mentally noted that Charlotte preferred older men, when Charlotte looked down at me with a slightly worried expression.

"Don't you think Big Brother is more reliable than Prince Hildebrand, Big Sis?"

"…I suppose. Being willing to let someone do as they please with the dormitory's bookshelves is the greatest quality a man can have."

When I told her I hadn't forgotten how Wilfried had said we could do whatever we wanted with the dormitory's bookshelves, Charlotte's face grew quite uneasy.

The outfit change is complete.

Prince Hildebrand has become a library committee member.

Charlotte is holding her head over Rozemyne's tightrope diplomacy.

Next: The dedication stone.